December 2023 Newsletter

Word from the Winemaker

Reflecting on the 2023 harvest and the development of the wines in the cellar through the year, we have seen the delivery of exceptional white wines and elegantly styled reds. This is due largely to cooler and wetter weather experienced in the season especially during the time of ripening and harvesting of the red wine grape varieties. Whilst the white wines of this vintage showcase complex aromas and flavours with remarkable structure, the elegance in the red wines is extraordinary and is complimented by soft tannins and lower alcohol volumes. It certainly was a unique vintage at Dornier – one that will reveal very interesting wines.

Winter conditions this year were ideal for the upcoming harvest as characterized by the abundant rain and the cold temperatures we experienced. Since then, all the vines have shown healthy budburst with our viticultural team already in full swing with their efforts towards the delivery of premium quality fruit for the next harvest.

We are very excited to welcome Mr Dehan Veldsman to the team at Dornier. Dehan will be taking on the full responsibility of incorporating and managing the viticultural practices at Dornier. Qualified at Elsenburg, Dehan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience crucial to the production of the quality wines Dornier prides itself in.

Dornier Chronos & Donatus Wine Club Exclusive Wines

Earth and water gave rise to the Greek deity Chronos, the personification and embodiment of Time – the 3^rd principle. Implicitly all things that come in threes are naturally more fulfilling, effective and pleasing.

Dornier Chronos is the third Wine Club exclusive wine produced for members and also the first non vintage wine Dornier has produced since wine production started in 2002. This remarkable red wine is a blend of three vintages of Tinta Barocca, 2020, 2021 and 2022. The wine shows beautiful complexity of fruit and exceptional balance between oak, acid, fruit and alcohol.

Only 1 000 bottles of this wine was produced.

 Dornier Leda & Dornier Scarlette

The first two Wine Club exclusive wines produced were Dornier Leda 2017 and Dornier Scarlette 2018. Only 120 bottles of each of these wines remain and are available to purchase at The Wine Lounge at Dornier this festive season.

A glimpse into 2024 exclusive wines – Guyot trained vines

When it comes to the annual pruning of vines typically either cane pruning (Guyot) or spur pruning methods are incorporated for trelllised vines – although other methods do exist. Guyot pruning involves using one of the previous years’ fruiting canes as the next years fruit bearer arms. The vine essenitally consists of a trunk and one or two such newley trained beaerer arms.

Through this system, it is possible to modify and improve the growth of the plant and its fruit to suit the purposes for which it is grown. And this is where the 4^th wine club exclusive wine comes in – showcasing how winemaking starts in the vineyards.

More information on this special wine will be released in the buildup to its release towards May 2024.

Something new awaits this festive season at

The Wine Lounge at Dornier

Dornier’s cheese and charcuterie platters have become the go to boards in the Winelands and this festive season we look forward to releasing a new food offering at The Wine Lounge which will be equally sumptuous and complementing of all our award-winning wines. Follow us on Instagram for more updates @dornier_wines

We wish to take the opportunity of thanking you for your valued and loyal support through this year and wish you and family a happy and safe festive season.

We look forward to welcoming you at Dornier!

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2022 was an excellent vintage for Dornier. The winter was cold and wet and the ripening season was cool. This led to grapes ripening at lower sugar levels with higher natural acidities. Lower temperatures preserved the delicate flavor components in the Chenin Blanc which are beautifully expressed in this wine. The wine has a lively bright colour with luring aromas of passion fruit and litchis. The palate is vibrant and long with refreshing acidity. Being a wine with vibrant fruit, it pairs well with salads, pasta dishes and grilled seafood, especially calamari and scallops.

The post Dornier Cocoa Hill Chenin Blanc secures 93 Points in the 2023 Prescient Chenin Blanc Report appeared first on dornier.

Dornier is well known for the production of single varietal wines made from “niche” varieties such as Semillon, Tinta Barcocca, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo the majority of which have to date been ranked in the Top 10 of the Prescient Minority Report. Dornier Semillon is produced from grapes harvested from a small block of vines, 1.46ha, that were planted in 1997. The vines are low yielding at 7.5 tons per hectare and provide for approximately 3000 bottles of Semillon each year.

The nose of Dornier Semillon shows complex and upfront aromas of lemon rind, fresh hay, caramelised apple and honey. The palate is rich in flavours of quince, lemon meringue and brioche. A luscious full texture backed by a well-balanced acidity and a long lingering finish.

Only a few hundred bottles of the 2021 vintage remain in stock. Congratulations to Winemaker Philip van Staden for the stellar wines he produces at Dornier.

Dornier Semillon is available to taste and purchase at the Wine Lounge at Dornier.

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National Wine Challenge

Upon the maiden release of Dornier’s Moordenaarskloof Chenin Blanc in 2017 it was clear that we had created something remarkable. The Chenin Blanc vineyard used in the production of Moordenaarskloof was planted in 1986 and is situated at the foot of the Moordenaarskloof, a geographical point at Dornier, at an elevation of 230 meters above sea level. This wine exudes elegance, grace and balance. All elements of the wine are in perfect harmony and deliver a luxurious, viscosity and long, lingering finish.

“Bright, pale straw colour with delicate scents of wild flowers and fruit, especially Cape Honeysuckle, white peaches and pineapples with a delicate underlying minerality. The palate fully matches the nose with a creamy sensation and a texture that combines elegance and intensity and concentrated fruit flavours.”

We are elated with the Double Gold Medal awarded to this wine at this year’s National Wine Challenge and are grateful to the devotion of the teams in the vineyards and the cellar that have brought this wine to life.

Dornier Moordenaarskloof Chenin Blanc is produced in limited volumes annually as is available to taste and purchase at The Wine Lounge at Dornier.

Visit The Wine Lounge at Dornier to learn more about the mystery of Dornier Moordenaarskloof.

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Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 receives a second, consecutive, TOP 100 Wine placement at the 2022 National Wine Challenge. This year only thirteen Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the country achieved Top 100 SA Wine status. Of these thirteen wines only four were wine of origin Stellenbosch. Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 takes a joint second place in these four Top 100 wining wines from Stellenbosch.

Dornier’s pursuit towards producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stellenbosch region is clear. Through continued, innovative approaches both in the vineyards and the cellar the single varietal wine has come into its own on several fronts.

The 2018 vintage of Dornier Equanimity Cabernet has received abundant local and international recognition having thus far received a Gold Medal from Mundus Vini Germany in 2022, 93 Points & Double Gold from Gilbert & Gaillard and now Top 100 Wine Status from the National Wine Challenge.

Intense black cherry colour with a full bouquet of cassis, black berries, cigar box, pencil shavings and subtle oak with a hint of mint to ensure freshness. The palate has density and concentrated flavours of dark fruit with elegant tannins to create a well-balanced wine with a long finish.

Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon is available to taste and purchase at The Wine Lounge at Dornier or online from Dornier

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Donatus White is a unique blend of Chenin Blanc (81%) and Semillon (19%) which brings forth the opulence and complexity of Chenin Blanc with the freshness and rich mouth feel of Semillon. The wine spends 11 months aging on the lees in barrel during which time regular battonage is practised. Being a full flavoured, wooded wine, seafood dishes with richness and weight are complementary to the wine. The wine also pairs well with Thai curries and roasted aubergine dishes.

Dornier Donatus White 2018 was produced in limited quantity of only 2700 bottles and is available to taste and purchase at The Wine Lounge at Dornier.

The post DORNIER DONATUS WHITE SECURES TOP 10 POSITION appeared first on dornier.

Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for more than 60% of Dornier’s planted red grape varieties with original plantings thereof dating back to 2001. Ancient, decomposed granite soils found on the cool, south facing slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain lead to the production of elegant wines of complex structure for which Dornier has become well recognized for.

Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon

“Intense black cherry colour with a full bouquet of cassis, black berries, cigar box, pencil shavings and subtle oak and a hint of mint to ensure freshness. The palate has density and concentrated flavours of dark fruit with elegant tannins to create a well-balanced wine with a long finish. Concentrated fruit, bold structure and the ability to age well.”

                                                  Ratings to date include:

Art, architecture and mythology were passionate interests of Christoph Dornier, founder of Dornier. These are ever present at Dornier not only in the iconic design of Dornier’s working wine cellar, but in the stories, art and myth that abound in many of the wines.

The Art Room at Dornier showcases a collection of the late Christoph Dornier’s artwork and affords the opportunity of unravelling some of the mysteries and stories behind Dornier’s beautiful wines.

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“South African Syrah can no longer be neatly pigeonholed. Expect everything from delicate, very fine to ultra- glossy, rich wines and the Shiraz/Syrah distinction is no longer really a clue to what’s inside the bottle.”

The 3^rd vintage release of Dornier Siren Syrah goes on to score 92

points in the 2012 Shiraz Report. It remains true to the intentional, delicate and alluring style aimed

for in conception phase.

The nose is filled with aromas of red berry, spices, violets and lilies.

The palate is creamy and delicate with hints of redcurrant and cedar.

The finish is clean and has a lingering aftertaste of

berry and white pepper.

          Dornier Siren Syrah is available to taste and purchase at The Wine Lounge at Dornier.

Contact: 021 8800 557

The post Dornier Siren Syrah scores 92 Points – Shiraz Report 2021 appeared first on dornier.

Having recently secured two Top 10 positions for two niche varietal red wines Dornier does it again, this time with Dornier’s Bordeaux style red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot. 

“50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. Matured for 18 months in French oak, 25% new. A hint of reduction before blue and black berries, violets, herbs, turned earth and oak spice on the nose. The palate is concentrated and smooth textured – a dense core of fruit, bright acidity and firm tannins”

Dornier’s red Bordeaux varieties have consistently shown their true potential and quality following much praise received for the individual varieties and blends produced as follows:  

 Dornier Merlot 2018 (Top 10 Prescient Report, 2 x Double Gold Medals)

Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Top 100 Wine, Double Platinum Medal)

Dornier Petit Verdot 2016 (Top 10 Prescient Minority Report)

Dornier Malbec 2017 (90 points Prescient Minority Report)

Dornier’s Donatus Red 2017 (Top 10 Prescient Report)

Dornier Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2017 (Top 10 Prescient Report) 

These exceptional red wines can be tasted and purchased at The Wine Lounge at Dornier and make the perfect accompaniment to the decadent cheese and charcuterie platters served at The Wine Lounge. Contact: 021 8800 557

Email: winelounge@dornier.co.za

www.dornier.co.za

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