First release: Reyneke 2024/25

Reyneke is the benchmark for Polkadraai Hills syrah, with a track record – going back over 15 years now – for making incredibly perfumed, vibrantly fresh, and distinctive syrah, the kind of syrah which captivates lovers of the Northern Rhône in general (and Côte-Rôtie in particular). The 2024 vintage from the estate is the second year that the syrah has worn its new guise (previously it was known as the Reyneke Reserve Red). And it incorporates some of the new syrah plantings on the farm for the first time, including a high-density echalas plot and a bush-vine parcel, both on cool sites. Winemaker Barbara Melck is extremely excited about what these blocks are bringing to the final wine, in terms of tannin structure as well as from an aromatic perspective – and we share this excitement. Tasting this just a little after it was bottled, it was reticent at first, but with aeration delivered a fragrance of dried-rose petals and raspberries, with a whole-bunch sappy, spicy edge, and an undercurrent of cured-meat savouriness. The palate is intense but beautifully balanced, with vivid acidity, peppery red fruit and lots of fine-grained, detailed tannins. Having tasted Reyneke syrah at 10 years’ old, and even at 15 years’ old, this is a wine you can happily age with confidence. Drink this year to 2039. 12.5%

While Polkadraai Hills is most celebrated for its syrah and chenin, cabernet franc is starting to get the attention it deserves, and this gorgeous example evidences why. Deeply scented with redcurrant and cranberry fruit, aniseed, mint, and raspberry leaf, it manages that fine balancing act of having real weight on the palate while being lithe and light of foot. Crunchy red fruit is framed by structured, powdery-textured tannins and the finish is long and perfumed. This currently comes from just one block of cabernet franc on the beautiful biodynamic Reyneke estate, but soon new cabernet franc plantings will be ready to go. Aged for 16 months in second and third fill oak, nothing is overdone here; everything is harmonious and in its place. While it can be approached this year, this will benefit from a further two to three years in the cellar before you open that first bottle. Drink this year to 2039. 13.5%

This is a dark and brooding expression of cabernet sauvignon in the 2024 vintage, one which demands time. Aged in new French oak for 18 months to allow the wine to open up and ‘round out,’ says winemaker Barbara Melck, it has superb concentration and depth of bramble fruit, cassis, and cedar. With real gravitas at its core and a firmly structured, resonant finish, there is significant tannin and huge ageing potential. Give this at least five years before starting to drink – or ideally ten, and you’ll be justly rewarded. Barbara compares the ‘boldness’ of the 2024 vintage to Stellenbosch’s 2015 vintage, the best examples of which are just starting to drink now. Drink from 2029 to 2044. 14%

This blend of Reyneke Estate’s oldest chenin blanc vineyards, planted in 1974 and 1976 respectively, is as finessed as ever this year, while showing more opulent fruit than the 2024 at the same stage of development, thanks to the generosity of the 2025 vintage. With flavours of apricot, honeydew melon and quince, this is vibrant and layered, with lively acidity and a salivating yellow-grapefruit-pith twist to the finish. Maturation in a combination of large foudre and amphora gives this a wonderful texture and length. This is undisputably one of the reference points for Polkadraai Hills chenin. Drink this year to 2035. 13%

Reyneke’s sauvignon blanc always offers a restrained, elegant expression of this often pungent grape, closely aligned to the subtlety of classic Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Gently aromatic with spring blossom, fennel, and white peach, this has a zippy bright acidity which is seamlessly integrated into the white and green fruit on the palate. While fermented and aged in barrel, the oak imprint is invisible from a flavour perspective, rather smoothing out the edges and delivering a balanced, texturally complex white, with a mouthwatering salinity, distinct flintiness and a lime-zest finish. This is a wine that ages wonderfully well, while also delivering pleasure in its youth. Drink this year to 2035. 14%

Drink from 2029 to 2035A six-bottle case containing two bottles of Reyneke Estate Chenin Blanc, Polkadraai Hills 2025 and one bottle of each of the remaining wines.Reyneke Estate Chenin Blanc, Polkadraai Hills 2025Reyneke Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Polkadraai Hills 2025Reyneke Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Polkadraai Hills 2024Reyneke Estate Cabernet Franc, Polkadraai Hills 2024Reyneke Estate Syrah, Polkadraai Hills 2024

Notes PDF