This particular wine should in fact be titled ‘Wine of the Year’ in my book. For us this is one of the most eagerly anticipated wines in a HECK of a long time. The winemaker’s name is Lukas Van Loggerenberg, a name that will mean nothing to anyone but murmurings are already spreading and quotes from one particular journalist describes him as South Africa’s new superstar and the most exciting discovery of 2017. So imagine our excitement when we have an appointment with him on our travels through South Africa in January. After getting lost in the back roads around Stellenbosch we eventually stumbled across Lukas and his shed on top of a remote hill. This instantly likeable, humble winemaker (with a grape press made out of parts of a vacuum cleaner) has thrown all he has in the world to start up on his own with this 2016 vintage being his first release. His wines are compelling, pure, precise, wonderfully and refreshingly lower in alcohol, delicate, masterpieces that will evolve and excite and enthral wine lovers. So my Wine of the Year is Lukas Van Loggerenberg ‘Break a Leg’ Rosé (£17), so called to reflect a double dose of surgery on his knee whilst harvesting. The label also depicts a tortoise, to reflect the speed at which he was working, and a donkey for his stubbornness not to give in to doctors’ advice. Made from Cinsault grapes this delicate perfumed green herby nose, savoury, cranberry, finely textured, lightly tart, reminiscent of the very best from Provence. He produced two barrels of this and we managed to secure 60 precious bottles (that’s nearly half of the UK allocation, lucky us) so is unlikely to hang about.
https://www.lockettbros.co.uk/shop/lukas-van-loggerenberg-break-a-leg-rose-2016/
