What a delight it is to experience a premium range by Journey’s End at really great prices – under the R200 mark. The wine is signed by winemaker Mike Dawson who believes in minimum intervention, hand-crafted wines. The farm became Fairtrade in 2016 which means that they believe in fair labour.
On release, the Journey’s End V Chardonnay 2018 was honoured with a Top 10 placing and 93 points in Winemag.co.za’s 2019 Prescient Chardonnay Report and the Journey’s End V Shiraz 2016 received a Gold medal at the 2019 Michelangelo Awards.
What’s special about the V SERIES?
All the wines in this Vineyard Series are distinctive examples of Journey’s End Vineyard’s unique terroir. With only a handful of premium, hand-crafted wines grown in excellent soils on sea-facing slopes, caressed by cool coastal breezes, the focus at Journey’s End Vineyards is very much on quality.
Journey’s End Vineyards ‘V Series’ (Vineyard Series), comprises a Chardonnay 2018, Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Shiraz 2016, Merlot 2016 and a maiden release, a Cabernet Franc 2017.
V Chardonnay 2018
The grapes were handpicked early morning from 2 different blocks. The one block was picked at 22.5 balling which gives the citrus/ minerality character to the wine. The other block was picked at 24.5 balling and contributes to the riper fruit flavours in the wine. Clear and bright, straw with a hint of green. Expressive fruit, initially lemon and citrus, but under that, it’s more tropical and pineapple, all seamed through with crushed almond, savoury oak tones. This is a layered, complex wine, the result of cool-grown fruit carefully handled, plus barrel selection. The palate is silky, with a tangy finish from the fruit and acid combination, extending the flavours.
Only 30 barrels produced – approximate retail price: R165
V Shiraz 2016
The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from 2 different blocks on the farm. Block 9 is 140 m above sea level and block 13 is about 170 m above sea level. Ruby with a garnet edge. An expressive nose, brambleberries, campfire smoke, dusty savoury spice, this is a complex layered wine, providing lots of interest. Already delicious, the bit of age has made the texture smooth and rounded, with beautifully integrated tannins, but there is still a good future ahead.
Only 17 barrels produced – approximate retail price: R180
V Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from blocks 6B & 8. Block 8 normally gets affected by the dominant wind during flowering period. Block 6B is next to a Eucalyptus forest which has an influence on the flavour profile but also protects the block from the wind. A core of rich blackcurrants, black plums, with a savoury overlay, meat extract, white pepper, mixed spice. The velvety texture is a result of maturation – the wine is at the perfect drinking age – and fine-textured tannins. Complex layered and well crafted.
Only 38 barrels produced – approximate retail price: R180
V Merlot 2016
The grapes were hand-picked early in the morning from blocks 5 & 7. Block 7 is situated next to a Eucalyptus forest which has a subtle influence on the flavour profile of the wine. Ruby, clear and bright. Blackcurrants and raspberries, a hint of violets, with the French oak well balanced to allow the fruit to shine. It shows nutmeg, vanilla, and white pepper perfume, and finishes with just enough grip to promise good cellaring potential. An elegant, polished wine, already drinking well. Best drunk until 2026
Only 25 barrels produced – approximate retail price: R180
V Cabernet Franc 2017
The grapes were handpicked from Block 4, largely situated on decomposed granite soils. The juice is fermented in 5000L French oak truncated casks before going through malolactic fermentation in second fill 300L barrels. The wine is then allowed to age for 14 months after malolactic fermentation in barrel before being blended and bottled.
This wine displays intense ripe cherry, savoury kalamata olive and wild fynbos characters on the nose rounded up by a sweet cinnamon spice from generous oak maturation. Great balance is exhibited on the pallet with coastal freshness, Mediterranean minerality and soft powdery tannins with a lengthy finish. Best drunk now and until 2025.
Only 3 barrels produced – approximate retail price: R180
Journey’s End V Series Retail Prices:
The Journey’s End V Series Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are available for purchase at Journey’s End Vineyards cellar door, online at https://shop.journeysend.co.za/ and nationally at select fine wine merchants as well as at leading restaurants.
Approximate retail prices for the V Series wines range between R165 and R180.
