Festivities

Christmas is upon us and it is just getting hotter and hotter, and at the moment I am looking for some quality whites to carry me through this very difficult time. I have to say that I was pleased to find just this at Aàldering Wine Estate. Dustin lead us in an awesome tasting, taking us through the range of whites and reds, and giving us a preview of the 2010 Pinotage in addition to the rest of the range. All the grapes used for the wines are grown on the estate and the permanently employed workforce is minimal resulting in a very hands-on attitude towards the winemaking process.

Sauvignon Blanc 2012: All three of the white wines impressed me quite a bit, with each of the wines spending 7 months on the lees. The Sauvignon Blanc presents with mineral notes and fresh fruit on the nose, leading to gooseberries and granadilla flavours found on the palate. Because of the time spent on the lees you are left with a full and lasting finish. It costs R105 per bottle which is not too bad, and gets a rating of 3.5.

Chardonnay 2012: The Chardonnay was definitely the best of the whites. 35% of the wine was oaked for 7 months in third of fourth fill barrels and the rest is unoaked. There is an abundance of fruit on the nose, most notably apricot and lemon zest, with a hint of creamy butterscotch lingering in the aftertaste. It is a beautifully balanced, round wine, and a must have at R105 per bottle. It gets 4.

Pinotage Blanc 2012: This is a very interesting wine and one which you would probably either love or hate completely. Peaches and banana peel on the nose, followed by a very full fruit-driven palate. Once again the palate has a very full texture because of the 7 months it spent on the lees. Personally I could not decide whether I liked it or not, but it is one the better examples of a South African Blanc de Noir that I have tasted. It costs R105 per bottle and gets a rating of 3.

Shiraz 2009: The Shiraz presents with beautiful whiffs of plumbs and berries, with just a hint of black pepper. The palate is very fruit-driven and as is the case with most 2009 vintages, this one will age really well. It spends between 20 and 24 months in French oak, with 35% being new barrels. It almost seems like an injustice to open it now, so if you have the self-discipline, keep it for another 3-5 years before opening it. It goes for R165 per bottle, and gets 4.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009: Oaked for 24 months (35% new oak) in French oak, this well balanced blend presents with black cherries and a hint of mint on the nose, followed by loads of berries and dark currents on the palate. Even more than the Shiraz this wine needs to spend some time in the bottle. The tannins are just a bit grippy, but will soften and allow the fruit to really develop if given some time to mature. It costs R165 per bottle and gets a rating of 4.

Pinotage 2009: The Pinotage really impressed me. I know I tend to be a bit biased when it comes to good Pinotage, but I cannot help it. It spent 24 months in French oak, with 35% of the oak being new. The nose is very concentrated and leaves you coming back to it again and again. Raspberry and rhubarb is complemented by notes of ripe banana. The palate is not as concentrated as the nose, but is very full none the less. The wine definitely needs some time to open up, but once again if you age it a couple of years you will not be disappointed. It goes for R165 per bottle, and also receives a rating of 4.

That’s it for this week. I am heading off to Namibia for two weeks, but fear not, I will keep you updated from the across the Orange River. Happy festive season, and celebrate every moment by Pounding Grape!!