The MR de Compostella 2023 is a wine of seamless complexity and power. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest Bordeaux blends and represents the pinnacle of what Stellenbosch can produce. After last week’s successful tastings in Cape Town and Johannesburg, we secured a few more cases of these exceptional wines.
More than a decade ago, Neal Martin awarded both the 2008 and 2009 MR de Compostella 96 points – an almost unheard-of score for a South African red at the time. Given his expertise across Bordeaux, Burgundy and South Africa, it’s no small achievement that the MR Vesperi 2024 ranks among the highest-scoring white wines in his recent SA report. Balanced, persistent and exceptionally fine, it makes a compelling case for South African fine white wine at its very best.
The 2023 De Compostella is a blend of 30% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Malbec, 17% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot. In the words of Mzo and Bruwer, it’s the work of two winemaker friends in pursuit of excellence – a blend that is far greater than the sum of its parts. It also has the pedigree to age remarkably well.
The same approach underpins the Vesperi 2024, a blend of 41% Chenin Blanc, 37% Sauvignon Blanc and 22% Sémillon. If you love wines of depth and finesse with flavour in spades, this is for you.
Tasting Notes:
Mvemve Raats De Compostella 2023
‘The 2023 MR de Compostella, or Compilation of the Stars is another 5-way blend of 30% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Malbec, 17% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot. With all fruit picked in prime condition long before the late harvest rains descended, this 2023 stands as one of the most fascinating MRs Bruwer and Mzo have produced since the maiden 2004. Sharing many aromatic, flavour, and textural similarities with previous vintages like the 2013, 2018 and the 2021, this 2023 is beautifully fragrant with top note aromatics of violets, rose petals, sweet cedar, crushed cranberries, saline crème de cassis and black cherry fruits that melt away into hints of dried herbs, graphite, and sweet tobacco leaf. Medium to full bodied, the palate shows a sleek strictness, a polished, elegantly restrained silky texture over an incredibly taut, powerful, titanium skeletal frame. The tannins are fine grained, tight knit and tensile but never grippy or chunky. This wine possesses a different kind intensity and muscular power – one shaped by pedigree, classicism, and restrained wound spring tension. This could well be one of the most “serious” MRs assembled to date… and I absolutely love it. Pop this one in your cellar for a few years while you enjoy the MR 2020 or the 2022.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 98/100
‘This second edition of the “white MR” is a similar blend to the maiden 2023 but possess a slightly higher Chenin Blanc portion at 41%, alongside 37% Sauvignon Blanc and 22% Semillon, that was matured for nine months in older oak barrels. While the oak and vanilla spice is perceptible, it’s also beautifully integrated with alluring aromatics of lime blossoms, lemon cordial, hints of waxy bergamot citrus, before more savoury, biscuity notes of nutty lees, wet straw and yellow orchard fruits. With the Sauvignon Blanc picked opulently ripe, its no surprise that the palate entry leads with more intense green fruit notes of greengage and orange citrus before the Chenin Blanc and Semillon slowly assert their presence. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, the balance is impressively harmonious and the fruit acid integration seductively seamless. Vibrant and noticeably chiselled on the finish, this is such a wonderfully accomplished addition to the lucrative Cape white blend category. Drink the Vesperi on release and over the next decade.’ – Greg Sherwood MW, 96+/100
‘The 2024 MR Vesperi is the sophomore release. The Sauvignon Blanc is picked super ripe and left on the skin in a new barrel to counter the acidity and to match with the Chenin Blanc and Sémillon. Therefore, unusually, the concentration derives from this compared to the other two varieties. It has a perfumed floral bouquet with dandelion and Mirabelle scents and hints of yellow fruit. The Sauvignon Blanc component is very subtle. The palate is supremely well balanced with a keen line of acidity and vivid flavours that come bounding from the glass. Lightly spiced and perhaps a tad more persistent than the maiden vintage, this is exceptionally fine. Thankfully, there is twice as much of this as the 2023.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 96/100
