This is an extraordinary collection of wines. Bernhard Bredell’s winemaking star continues to rise, and his latest releases are deeply cerebral and refined.
A seventh-generation vigneron, Bernhard’s wines are rooted in his kinship with the land. Previously characterised by a geeky, skeletal edge, this vintage is sculpted with greater harmony and there’s immense pleasure straight out of the glass. Each bottle is an individual fingerprint of a winemaker who’s truly in the zone. Make no mistake, 2024 was a challenging vintage that was continuously ‘on a knife’s edge’, he says, with picking decisions made by the hour. But his work in the vineyards paid off and these releases are spot on.
The Swanesang Syrah 2024 is right up there with the best Stellenbosch Syrahs, while the Féniks Pinotage 2024 is a haunting and mysterious expression of the variety. These single vineyards are only 4km from the ocean – a rarity in Stellenbosch. The Heldervallei Cinsault 2024 is one of the finest we’ve tasted, with impressive tannins and a super-fine, long finale, and the Krummelklip 2024 is a Loire-like Cabernet Sauvignon that offers great purity of fruit. Though wonderfully drinkable, these wines will mature beautifully.
The Granietsteen Chenin Blanc 2024 is aromatically gifted with a layered and complex palate. This deft touch carries through to the Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2024, from a Karoo vineyard at 450m above sea level. It shows vibrant fruit, with lemon peel, slate, spice and a salty, linear finish.
The Granitas White 2024 – a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne – is just delicious and great value, as is the fresh, juicy Atlantikas Pinotage 2024.
These remarkable wines reflect Bernhard’s quiet passion for the land.
Tasting Notes:
Scions of Sinai Swanesang Syrah 2024
‘Grapes from a 0.7ha vineyard planted in 1999. 85% whole-cluster fermentation before maturation lasting 12 months, 80% in concrete and 20% in old oak. Evocative aromatics – an initial touch of reduction, not unwelcome, giving way to dark berries, lilies, herbs and a twist of black pepper. The palate offers generous fruit, neatly balanced by fresh acidity, the tannins fine-grained and mouth-coating. There’s a particularly appealing suppleness to the wine in this vintage – harmonious and assured. Alc: 13%.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
Scions of Sinai Féniks Pinotage 2024
‘Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1976. Heady aromatics of red and black cherry, plum, florals and fynbos. The palate shows plush fruit—rounded but not overly sweet, bright acidity lending balance. The tannins are soft, perhaps lacking a little grip, but the finish is still clean and dry.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100
Scions of Sinai Heldervallei Cinsault 2024
‘Grapes from a vineyard planted originally planted in 1968 and then renewed with interplanting in 1988. 25% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 11 months in older 225- and 400-litre barrels. Beautifully perfumed with notes of cherry, plum, pomegranate, rose, violet and a touch of herb. The palate is seamless – vivid fruit, bright acidity and ultra-fine, powdery tannins come together in very pleasing fashion. The finish is long and saline.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
Scions of Sinai Krummelkip Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
‘From a vineyard planted in 2008 on a combination of granite and ferricrete. Matured for 12 months in older 225- and 228-litre barrels. Cassis, maybe a touch of olive, rose and some leafiness on the nose while the palate is medium-bodied – great fruit integrity, fresh acidity and firm but not coarse tannins. Pure and balanced, demonstrating that not all Cab needs to be gargantuan….’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 93/100
Scions of Sinai Granietsteen Chenin Blanc 2024
‘Grapes from a vineyard planted in 1978. Sublime, extraordinarily intricate aromatics: fynbos and fennel, blossom and pear, peach, lime, lemon and green apple, all overlaid with a whisper of flinty reduction. The palate is taut and linear, intense without excess weight, coursing with energy. The finish is long, pithy, resonant. A wine of remarkable clarity – complex yet composed, and perilously close to complete.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 98/100
Scions of Sinai Gramadoelas Grenache Blanc 2024
‘Grapes from a Klein Karoo vineyard planted in 2009. Boisterous aromatics of flowers, herbs, citrus, peach and ginger, with an intriguing yeasty edge. The palate is marked by great fruit purity and racy acidity, the finish long and dry. Intensely flavoured with a compelling angularity – arresting and hugely characterful.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 95/100
