Nuschka de Vos left Reyneke Wines in Stellenbosch at the end of 2021 to start her own label, Vulpes Wines, and her first release is a stunner! The Cape Fox 2022 is a taut, visceral, and focused Chenin Blanc. If you love wines with verve, complexity, quiet fruit expression and a lingering finish, this is for you.
Jamie Goode calls it ‘a remarkable Chenin Blanc’ and ‘very fine’, whilst Tim Atkin MW agrees with Christian Eedes that Vulpes is ‘a brand to keep an eye on’.
Produced from two Swartland vineyards off granitic soils, the Cape Fox has an energetic acidity that coils and weaves its way through the wine for a long, memorable end. Subtle, yet layered, delicate yet powerful – it’s an absolute delight and joins the canon of great Swartland Chenins.
Nuschka’s focus is on sustainable and organic production, as is to be expected after six years at Reyneke. Tasting some samples and possible future releases, her wines are destined to be sought-after in the future.
Tasting Notes:
Vulpes Wines The Cape Fox Chenin Blanc 2022
‘Maiden release is The Cape Fox Chenin Blanc 2022, grapes from two Paardeberg vineyards, winemaking involving spontaneous fermentation and maturation lasting some eight months in older 300-litre barrels. The nose shows pear, peach, lime, earth and a hint of leesy complexity while the palate has great clarity of fruit, racy acidity and a pithy finish (alc: 12.3%). Taut, focused and long. Plenty of detail both in terms of flavour and texture. An arresting wine and one that suggests that this is a label to watch.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100
‘From granitic soils in the Paardeberg, this is a remarkable Chenin Blanc. It’s salty and mineral (typical of these soils) with lovely pear and peach fruit, together with grainy mineral notes. There are notes of lemons, spice and salt. It’s so expressive and focused with a sour cherry hint. Very fine.’ – Jamie Goode, Wineanorak.com, 95/100
‘Nuschka de Vos made her name at Reyneke and has now released her first white under The Cape Fox label. Produced with grapes from two Swartland vineyards – Jakkalsfontein and Sky – with a marked granite component, it’s a salty, intense, focused delight, shimmering with acidity and vibrancy and exhibiting mouth-watering green apple, lime and lemongrass flavours. A brand to keep an eye on.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2023, 94/100
