Thistle & Weed 'Khakibos' White Blend 2023

Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. A supercharged medley of explosive flavours from local and Iberian varieties from across the Cape. Flavours of tangerine, lemon posset and brioche come charging out of the glass, followed by whispers of delicate white tea and beeswax. On the palate, this wine is soft and voluptuous in texture, but with the energy of live electrical wire humming with tension, thanks to its saline and citrus backbone. Just wonderful with seafood cooked over the fire. 

Tagetes minuta was dubbed Khakibos (khaki bush) by the Boers in South Africa because of the khaki uniforms the British troops wore during the Anglo-Boer War. It is a newcomer to the Cape winelands, much like the offbeat Iberian varieties in this unique white blend. Boldly selected to produce a distinctive expression of the region. 

Stephanie Wiid (formerly winemaker at Fairview) and Etienne Terblanche (consulting viticulturist for several top estates) only created Thistle & Weed in 2015 but it hasn't taken long for them to be considered one of the finest wine labels in South Africa.

They are especially well regarded for single-site Chenin Blancs and more recently have been making waves with avant-garde regional blends that comprise a feast of Iberian varieties.

Their attention to detail in the vineyard is extraordinary and you can taste every nuance of the intricate terroir through their wines, now being made in a new, fixed abode near Stellenbosch.

The beautiful labels depict weeds found amongst the vines in the Cape; Etienne and Stephanie draw parallels between thistles and weeds and the uncompromising tenacity and survival skills of grapevines, hence their name and the colloquial Afrikaans terms given to their various wines.