Inzuzo: A Collage of Experiences and Empowerment
By Julie Sheppard
Top Choices - May 2025: Highlights Handpicked by the Editors
Hopping over to the Journey's End winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa, was an incredible opportunity to sit down with Kaylin Willscott, the assistant winemaker and part of the vital spirit behind the Inzuzo Wine Company. Inzuzo, meaning 'benefit' or 'reward' in Zulu and Xhosa, is a community-driven business owned by the employees at Journey's End. This unique venture seeks to support projects in the nearby village of Sir Lowry's Pass, where many team members and their families have resided for generations.
Kaylin's vision is to spearhead the construction and operation of an early childhood development center to address the gap left by insufficient state funding for early education. The Inzuzo range showcases a selection of invigorating varietal wines, due in the UK this September, accompanied by four exquisite blends. Among the standouts, I found the vibrant Big Picture Red 2024 and the refreshing Chenin-led Big Picture White 2024. However, the real stars of the tasting were the Signature SLPV series, boasting a lively Sauvignon Semillon and an enchanting Cinsault-Grenache.
Kaylin describes the range as a tapestry composed of various experiences from her life, a symbol drawing the big picture together. As we sipped through the diverse selection, it was clear that each wine carried the essence of her journey, mixing adventure with a profound commitment to community support.
NUMANTHIA: A Journey Towards Terroir
By Ines Salpico
Leading wine producers often set the stage for new releases with a backdrop of previous vintages, emphasizing stylistic and qualitative continuity, while showcasing their ageing potential. During a recent tasting presentation of Numanthia's latest 2019 release and 2016 vintage of Termanthia, estate director Julio Rodriguez surprised his audience with a glimpse of the 2023 vineyard's embryonic phase.
The spirit of exploration and evolution was palpable as Numanthia looks to break free from the mold of Robert Parker's long-held influence and embrace a more terroir-driven approach. The sample, aged in oak for a mere 13 months, was characterized by its vibrancy, expressiveness, and wonderful definition of aroma and flavor. A hint of balsamic freshness and smoky restraint effortlessly complemented the rich red and blue fruit profile, enveloping a superb tannic structure. These elements are reminiscent of Toro's traditional kaleidoscopic power, yet seemingly fresher, signaling a promising future for this exceptional region and its winemaking.
By Tina Gellie
For over a decade, Andrew Caillard MW has curated the Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection, pinpointing 12 red wines from the 22 member producers of New Zealand's Gimblett Gravels wine-growing district that expertly encapsulate each vintage and depict the evolution of this esteemed enclave. Blind-tasting the new-release 2022s, Caillard selected an impressive ensemble of wines that united in their elegance and stony freshness. Despite the challenging conditions posed by record-breaking rains and warm, humid weather in the month preceding the harvest, these wines testify to the tireless efforts and dedication of the local winemakers.
The standouts of the tasting included Stonecroft's 100% Syrahs, Serine and Reserve, impressing with their remarkable aromatic lift and intense fruit. The Mission Estate and Mills Reef Reserve Merlots, both boasting enviable precision, offered appealing crunchiness. Other commendable wines in the selection include:
- Villa Maria's Cellar Selection Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon
- Esk Valley's Artisanal Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
- Trinity Hill's The Gimblett
- Squawking Magpie's The Nest
- Church Road's 1 Malbec
- Smith & Sheth's Cru Heretaunga Syrah
- Craggy Range's Le Sol
- Church Road's Tom Syrah
Though these wines are not yet available in the UK, past vintages can still be found on shelves.
Essencia: A Timeless Symphony of Sip
By Sylvia Wu
Spanning the vastness of history, the rare and precious liquid known as Essencia from Hungary's Tokaj region is a testament to time's passage and the magic of wine. Made from free-run juice extracted from shrivelled Aszu berries, reaching staggering sugar levels of 500+ grams per liter, Essencia naturally ferments to an incredibly low alcohol content while maintaining an astonishing freshness. Its potential for ageing is seemingly infinite, as exemplified by Royal Tokaji's vertical tasting of its flagship Essencia release, starting from the inaugural 1993 vintage.
The 2007 Essencia presented bruised apple, marmalade, and camomile notes, while the 2003 offered more complex flavors of coffee, figs, and hazelnuts. My personal favorite, the 1999 Essencia, boasted a sublime bouquet of dark fruits, chocolate orange, toffee, and leather, unveiling an unforgettable finish. This extraordinary wine, along with the rest of the Essencia range, is a testament to the art and craftsmanship of winemaking, spanning the senses and transcending the boundaries of time.
- As a part of the exclusive food-and-drink experiences, a visit to the Journey's End winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa offers a chance to taste the invigorating Big Picture Red 2024 and Big Picture White 2024 wines from the Inzuzo Wine Company, a community-driven business that seeks to support local projects.
- For those interested in wine travel, the annual Gimblett Gravels Vintage Selection is a must-attend event, featuring the best red wines from New Zealand's Gimblett Gravels district, including standout wines like Stonecroft's 100% Syrahs, Serine and Reserve.
- For curious wine enthusiasts following wine news, the Numanthia vineyard's 2023 embryonic phase presentation revealed a hint of balsamic freshness and smoky restraint in the sample, indicating a shift towards a more terroir-driven approach for this exceptional region.
- For those passionate about lifestyle, food, and cooking, the Essencia from Hungary's Tokaj region, made from shriveled Aszu berries, is a unique and timeless treat, offering a sublime blend of dark fruits, chocolate orange, toffee, and leather, signifying the art and craftsmanship of winemaking that spans across generations.
