2021 Blank Bottle ‘Little William’ Ceres Plateau

From a high elevation vineyard in the Ceres Plateau, 750 metres above sea level, the 2021 is that little bit more serious than some of the prettier, lighter previous releases, and inkier in the glass and is really quite St Joseph like. The fruit is darker, with broody blackberry and apple, with a dense core of fruit and meaty hint too generously sprinkled with pepper, and fine tannin backbone. There’s a touch more grip too, with refreshing finish and fine acidity. Take a sip and one can almost feel you’re sitting mountainside on a rocky outcrop with the wind blowing in your hair. The beautifully detailed label shows the winding road of the mountain pass where the vineyard sits, harking back to the day Pieter came across a young boy by the name of William on the road.