McFarlane Wines, Capitoline Wolf White 2024
Alexandra McFarlane, winemaker and proprietor of McFarlane Wines, is incredibly passionate about South African ‘heritage’ varietals (working exclusively with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault and Semillon) and the role that they have played in sculpting the evolution of the SA wine industry.
She handles the grapes as gently as possible in the winery in order to produce wines that are elegant, honest and undeniably moreish. She picks with freshness in mind, resulting in wines that are comparatively low abv, but maintains complexity through phenolic ripeness and extended lees contact.
The Semillon is from Bot River and the Chenin from Durbanville. Fermentation took place in big old French barrels where it spent 6 months on the gross lees and underwent malolactic fermentation.
The nose has perfumed notes of fresh quince and white flower followed by ripe yellow fruit. A crunchy green spice comes through later on the nose . The entry has a pleasing bitterness on the palate followed by fleshy yellow fruit with layers of warm spiced ginger biscuit. There is bright acidity underpinning the fleshy fruit making your mouth water.
£21.15
Western Cape
Chenin Blanc, Semillon, White Blend
Bone-drySweet
Description
Alex McFarlane is incredibly passionate about South African ‘heritage’ varietals (working exclusively with Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cinsault and Semillon) and the role that they have played in sculpting the evolution of the SA wine industry.
She handles the grapes as gently as possible in the winery in order to produce wines that are elegant, honest and undeniably moreish. She picks with freshness in mind, resulting in wines that are comparatively low abv, but maintains complexity through phenolic ripeness and extended lees contact.
VARIETAL
60% Semillon | 40% Chenin blanc
HARVEST & VINEYARD
The Semillon was sourced from Bot River, where the vines grow on koffieklip soils in a warm daytime climate with cool nighttime temperatures—ideal for preserving freshness. The Chenin Blanc comes from an organically farmed vineyard in Durbanville, rooted in rocky shale soils with a clear view of Table Bay. The ocean influence plays a significant role in shaping the character of this site. Both parcels were hand-harvested, chilled overnight, and pressed the following day.
WINEMAKING
Both batches were whole-bunch pressed to tank and allowed to settle gently overnight. The juice was then racked into large, neutral fill French oak barrels, where fermentation occurred naturally. Once dry, the wine remained on its gross lees for six months, with regular stirring and no sulphur additions. Just prior to bottling, it was racked, sulphured, and protein-stabilised. The wine was gently filtered before bottling. Both components underwent full malolactic fermentation in barrel.
TASTING NOTES
The nose has perfumed notes of fresh quince and white flower followed by ripe yellow fruit. A crunchy green spice comes through later on the nose . The entry has a pleasing bitterness on the palate followed by fleshy yellow fruit with layers of warm spiced ginger biscuit. There is bright acidity underpinning the fleshy fruit making your mouth water. This wine will pair beautifully with a guanciale carbonarra or even a lightly toasted hot cross bun, lashings of butter and a sliver of sharp cheddar.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Alc: 12.5% | pH: 3.29 | TA: 5.8g/l | FSO2: 43ppm | TSO2: 94ppm | RS: 1.7g/l
ORIGIN
Western Cape – Bot River / Durbanville
Additional information
| Alcohol vol | 12.5% |
|---|---|
| Grape | Chenin Blanc, Semillon, White Blend |
| Origin | Western Cape |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Wine Farm |
This wine will pair beautifully with a guanciale carbonara or even a lightly toasted hot cross bun, lashings of butter and a sliver of sharp cheddar.
2 reviews for McFarlane Wines, Capitoline Wolf White 2024
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92 points | Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2025
“Alex McFarlane is a young winemaker to keep an eye on in the Cape, producing subtle, nuanced wines like this cuvée of Chenin Blanc and 40% Semillon. Fermented and aged on lees in older wood, with some bâtonnage, it has subtle, stony reduction, greengage, citrus and Granny Smith apple flavours and a herbal twist. 2025-29”
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“Bot River and Durbanville parcels for 2024 barrel-fermented 60% Semillon with Chenin. 9 months batonnage folds in butter to delicate stony body & lemon-kumquat tang. More accesible than previous.”
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