The New Kid on the Block in the Overberg Region… Greg Sherwood

Tasting An Exciting Selection of Thamnus Wines – The New Kid on the Block in the
Overberg Region…
FEBRUARY 14, 2025 – GREG SHERWOOD MW

The Cape is blessed with a plethora of dynamic historical wineries. But unlike many wine regions around the world, there is a constant evolution of wines,
wineries and winemaking that keep the South African wine scene exciting, cutting edge and vital. The Thamnus winery in the Overberg Region is just
one such new up and coming wine farm. Founded in 2019, the winery’s first vintages were produced from the 2020 harvest using Chardonnay, many from
the CY95, CY76, CY96 clones. Traditionally, winemaker P.J.Geyer makes two different styles from each clone which are then evaluated and potentially
blended.

Thamnus cultivate 10 tons of fruit for themselves and currently bottle only circa five tons of this fruit. The estate’s total production is currently 90 tons of
which they sell off 60 tons of fruit and keep a mere 30 tons, vinifying 10 tons, keeping 5 tons and selling off 5 tons in bulk wine. Approximately 75% of the
vineyards are 10 years old and 25% were planted in 2015.

Thamnus Chardonnay 2021, WO Overberg, 13% Abv.

Aged in new, second fill and 4th fill French oak barrels. The 2021 is surprisingly rich, creamy and leesy, super concentrated, almost unctuous
with a big piercing lemon and lime depth, biscuit, grapefruit preserve, with a generous lick of vanilla pod and savoury oak spice. A very impressive
expression from a great vintage.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Thamnus Chardonnay 2022, WO Overberg, 13% Abv.

Aged in a mix of old and new French oak with fruit from a warmer year. The 2022 is more reserved and mineral, classical and restrained, showing hints of
spicy lemon, white pepper, pithy lime peel and yellow grapefruit. Incredibly sleek and refined, mineral laden, pure and compact. Currently showing lovely
youthful wound spring tension but also great cellaring potential. Ironically, I’d probably pick this wine as a 2021 if tasted blind.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Thamnus Chardonnay 2023, WO Overberg, 13% Abv.

Aged in 1st, 2nd,3rd and 4th fill French oak barrels with the fruit coming from a wetter year in the Overberg. This 2023 vintage is embryonically youthful
and vibrant with more opulent high tone fruit notes of fresh green honeydew melon, green apple, white pear, and a stony mineral limestone complexity.
The palate reveals a sleek, harmonious elegance together with a glycerol fleshy elegance and a long, focused, spicy finish. This wine should evolve
beautifully and possibly merit an even higher score in the future.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Winemaker P.J. Geyer.

Thamnus Pinot Noir 2021, WO Overberg, 13% Abv.

The 2021 Pinot Noir displays a classic earthy, brambly, red and black berry fruited aromatics with hints of cranberry, crunchy wild strawberry before a
smoky, burnt wood ember nuance. There is a classical sapidity evident on the entry with a chalky, stony, stalky spice complexity melting into a very sleek,
polished tannin texture enlivened by crisp linear acids. A fine representation from a cooler, fresher, more linear vintage.

(Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Thamnus Pinot Noir 2022, WO Overberg, 13% Abv.

The 2022 Pinot Noir is at first quite smoky and stony with hints of graphite, struck match and charcoal embers over sour red plum, black berry, curry leaf
and bruised ripe strawberry fruits. There is a fullness and ripeness on the palate with a feel of density and extract from the sunshine while remaining
stony, flinty and attractively smoky. While there are suggestions of exoticism on the palate, the wine remains unwaveringly elegant, light touch and
beautifully focused. Should be at its best in 3 to 5 years time.

(Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW)