Ex Animo Wine Co is pumped to offer the latest HOGAN WINES from Jocelyn Wilson.

Jocelyn’s wines are as impactful as she is unassuming. With powerful whites and graceful, perfumed reds, Jocelyn has a deliberateness in her approach and an eye for detail that is reflected in her wines. Single-minded, classy, and quality-focused.

In her own words:

From 2 Stellenbosch vineyards: 71% Banhoek, 29% Helderberg (an administrative error resulted in Cape Coast WO on the label). The Helderberg portion was picked on 29 January from Rustenhof farm n granite soils. The Banhoek portion was picked on 21 February from Summercourt farm on a richer, clay soil.

Grapes were gently whole bunch pressed and juice was settled overnight at 10 degrees. It then went to barrel for natural fermentation in 100% old French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation. As little batonage as possible. 11 months in oak. No acid additions were made to this wine: maintaining the natural acidity is a key component.

Wonderful purity with aromas of melon, parma ham, nutmeg and papaya. Great fruit concentration, light grapefruit citrus freshness, restrained oak and delicate lees creaminess giving harmonious balance.

Christian Eedes: 91pt

The original Hogan wine. The grapes were handpicked in early February from old, bush vines, planted on decomposed granite in Joubertskloof on the Paardeberg, delivering only 2 tons/ha (11hL/ha). The vineyard block is irrigated and is east facing which contributes to the favourably low pH. After picking the grapes were then cooled overnight and hand-sorted the next day followed by a gentle whole bunch press. No sulphur or any other additions were made to the must at pressing. Natural fermentation took place in 225L and 300L French oak barrels followed by natural malolactic fermentation (after which the wine received the first sulphur addition). The wine was racked off the gross lees in early January 2020 and bottled later that month.

Aromas of poached pears, fresh lemon, a hint of herbs, brioche and salted almonds. Transparent and elegant with complex depth of floral and spice flavours and a savoury finish.

Christian Eedes: 95pt

The Cabernet Franc grapes are sourced from vines on the lower Helderberg on granitic soils. The vineyard is 2km from the coast. The maritime effect is most favourable, especially in the hot February-March months in Stellenbosch. Leaf removal in the bunch zone (during November/December) is an important practice in this vineyard to let enough sun in to prevent vegetal flavours.

The grapes were picked on 5 March 2019. They were sorted and crushed (no whole bunch). Spontaneous fermentation took place in open top fermenters with very soft handling during fermentation, only two punch downs per day. The wine was matured in 225L older French oak barrel, and was only racked once, in June after malolactic fermentation. The wine was sent thorough a rough filter before bottling in January 2019.

Pure and refined with notes of red fruit, graphite, tea leaf and fresh herbs. Wonderful freshness and verve, spicy intensity and fine tannins.

Christian Eedes: 90pt

Jocelyn is now holding her Divergent back a year before release as she feels the wine needs an extra year longer in bottle to really start showing itself.

The Divergent blend comprises of 34% Carignan, 34% Cinsaut and 32% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Carignan was picked first towards the end of January from 15 year old, unirrigated bush vines in Wellington. The Cinsaut, from the Helderberg region, was then picked in mid – February. These are 43-year old, unirrigated bush vines. Lastly, the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked early-March from 19-year old trellised and irrigated vines at 295m altitude on from the Polkadraai Hills.

All components were crushed and destemmed (except for the Cinsaut which was 30% whole bunch) and naturally fermented. After fermentation the different varietals were pressed and kept separate in 225L barrels. In June the barrels were first racked and the Divergent blend was made up in August after which the wine spent a further 4 months in barrel until bottling early January 2019.

The nose shows lovely cherry, currant and plum fruit, floral character and spice. A medium bodied palate, well balanced with a nice freshness and a savoury finish. Fine and expressive with wonderful purity.

Christian Eedes: 92pt