Description
“Get your cray on… For those with a taste for the unusual.” The label tells you most of what you need to know here; this isn’t your usual Chenin. Sakkie’s idea behind this wine was to create something that spoke unequivocally of its provenance: the largely-unknown West Coast. The vineyards for the Crayfish are located on well-drained sandy soils, about three miles from the cold Atlantic ocean. The ocean breezes play a crucial role in keeping this wine fresh, as the climate is otherwise quite hot. As for the label, well, it’s a reference to when the crayfish start eating the humans. You know… the infamous crayfish apocalypse from that old 1950s horror movie…
Grapes were hand harvested early in the morning, then taken to the cold room and cooled down for one night. This was done before being whole bunch pressed in an old basket press, followed by settling for twelve hours without any addition of enzymes except for a little sulfur. Half of the clear juice was then racked off and sent to stainless steel, with the remaining half going to neutral 500L barrels for spontaneous fermentation. From there, the stainless steel portion was moved to the same barrels as the other half, and the wine rested here for 9 months. Lees stirring occurred about once a week. The wine was bottled with only a small dosage of sulfur; no fining and just a coarse sheet filtration.
Tasting Notes
This wine brings to mind the sea, with scenes of kelp drying on sandy shores and the refreshing mist of ocean spray. It carries the typical Cape Chenin waxiness, yet beautifully balances warm climate fruitiness with the cooling influence of Atlantic breezes. Tasting reveals notes of tangerine, Granny Smith apples, dried fynbos, and seaweed reminiscent of sushi. The finish is notably long-lasting, with lingering tangy acidity and a subtle hint of sea salt.
Tim Atkin, MW
94
“Revenge of the Crayfish has developed a cult following since its first vintage in 2018. Picked in two stages, this comes from a two-hectare parcel that was established in Koekenaap in 1997. South Africa’s answer to a dry Savannières, it’s an engagingly focused, almost austere Chenin Blanc with notes of aniseed, chalk and wet stones and an intense, palate-cleansing finish.”
– Tim Atkin, MW
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Greg Sherwood, MW
97
“Already in its sixth vintage, this new Revenge of the Crayfish Chenin Blanc 2023 once again pushes the boundaries of intensity, clarity, and purity of characterful Weskus Chenin Blanc fruit sourced from the unique Koekenaap coastal vineyards located about five kilometres from the cold Atlantic ocean on well drained Sandstone soils. This latest release shows a wonderfully complex aromatics of taut lime peel, freshly grated green apple, white blossom, apricot pip, fresh fennel leaf, and a subtle hint of under ripe green pears. The evolution of the Crayfish style is most evident in the way Sakkie has learnt to tame the Weskus briney maritime rock salt salinity and integrate it into a more complete, classy, layered expression while retaining plenty of liquid minerality and the kelpy, nori seaweed nuances. The larger format 500 litre oak barrels also seem to bring out the very best characteristics of the Chenin Blanc fruit, exposing a more glycerol, textured mid-palate packed full of pithy lime peel, white peaches, and savoury apple notes. This wine is not only one of Sakkie’s finest whites bottled to date, but also one of the most delicious and mouthwatering whites I have drunk all year. My admiration for this young winemaker grows with every subsequent vintage release! Well done Sakkie. Drink on release and over the next 8 to 10+ years.”
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Vinous
90
“The 2023 Revenge of the Crayfish is pure Chenin Blanc that spent 11 months in 500-liter oak barrels. This has a waxy, resinous bouquet with light sea spray scents, nicely defined and focused. The palate is fresh and well balanced with notes of orange rind and tangerine. Enjoy this over the next three or four years.”
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