Boplaas Hanepoot 2025

Boplaas Family Vineyards has been producing wine and spirits in Calitzdorp since 1880, with the dry, rugged Klein Karoo providing a distinctive environment for fortified wines. Boplaas Hanepoot is made from low-yielding vines planted more than 30 years ago by Oupa Danie Nel, father of winemaker Carel Nel. The combination of hot, dry conditions, careful vineyard management and naturally concentrated Hanepoot fruit gives this wine its rich, intensely aromatic character. The 2025 Hanepoot is hand-harvested at optimal ripeness before being naturally fermented in open lagars, with manual pigeage every four hours during the four-day fermentation. Fermentation is then stopped by fortification with wine spirit. The wine spends around six months on its lees in stainless steel before blending and bottling, allowing its natural fruit character to remain at the forefront without oak influence.

Colour: Bright lemon yellow with a delicate lime-tinged rim.
Nose: Intensely aromatic, with ripe Hanepoot grapes, pineapple, litchi and winter melon leading the way. Citrus peel, jasmine and honeysuckle add floral freshness, with a subtle spicy note in the background.
Palate: Lusciously sweet and full-bodied, with generous flavours of fresh sultana, honey, litchi, melon and ripe grape. Lemon and lime marmalade bring a bright citrus edge, while lively acidity keeps the considerable sweetness fresh and mouth-watering rather than heavy. A subtle mineral note adds definition.
Finish: Long and lingering, with honeyed fruit, citrus peel, ripe Muscat grape and a gentle mineral freshness.