Should I pay attention to the OMTWS?

On Wednesday the 2014 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show (OMTWS) results were released, and I found myself to be quite perplexed at what I saw when making my way through them. I think what probably set me off was the fact that all of the wines entered by Cederberg Private Cellar were to be found in the Bronze category. The more I paged through the Bronze winners, the more dumbfounded I became. The shear amount of high quality wines deemed to be worthy of only Bronze is quite worrying. So I took 10 wines (8 Bonze winners and 2 Silver winners) and compared the OMTWS ratings to a few other ratings and this is what I found…

The OMTWS categories are as follow:

Gold = 90 points and over (superlative, world class)
Silver = 80 to 89 points (excellent, wine of distinction)
Bronze = 70 to 79 points (good to very good)

(This information along with anything you want to know about the competition or the judges can be found at www.dogreatthings.co.za/trophywineshow)

Sijnn Red 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Wine Spectator: 93 points

Christian Eedes: 90 points

 

Eagles’ Nest Shiraz 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Robert Parker: 93 points

Christian Eedes: 92 points

Veritas Double Gold

 

Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Miguel Chan: 92 points

 

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2011

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Neal Martin (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate): 93 points

 

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2010

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Received the International Chardonnay Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012

 

Ernie Els Proprietor’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Veritas Double Gold

 

Warwick Trilogy 2006

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Wine Enthusiast: 91 points

 

Meerlust Rubicon 2005

Old Mutual Bronze: (70 to 79 points)

Wine Enthusiast: 91 points

 

Meerlust Rubicon 2009

Old Mutual Silver: (80 to 89 points)

Neal Martin (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate): 92 points

 

Beeslaar Pinotage 2012

Old Mutual Sliver: (80 to 89 points)

Christian Eedes: 94 points

Look, I know that people have different palates, but we are not talking about a couple of points here. The difference between a score in the 70’s and one in the 90’s is quite significant. To award the Eagles’ Nest 2010 Shiraz a Bronze really bamboozles me. It is arguably the best Shiraz in South Africa at the moment. The question that I am left with is should I even pay attention to the OMTWS, or do I turn a blind eye, pour myself another glass of wine and think happier thoughts?

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

It is such a pity that the average wine consumer in South Africa insists on drinking their Sauvignon Blanc as soon as it is released regardless of the quality of the wine. There are some excellent Sauvignon Blancs, white wines for that matter, that we are drinking far too young.

The Kleine Zalze 2010 Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a prime example of such a wine. The grapes are selected from five different regions, with only the absolute best quality making the cut for the Family Reserve. On the nose I found tinned peas, tinned asparagus, just a hint of Cape gooseberries. The palate has a beautiful salty minerality, combined with green figs, and a solid acidity which ensures that wine is not flabby at all. This is truly one of the best South African Sauvignon Blancs I have had in a while. It shows some of the qualities you would expect from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It truly is a remarkable wine, and if anything this wine is still not at its optimal drinking window.

18.5

Jordon 2009 Chardonnay

With White Bordeaux blends you have Duncan Savage. When it comes to Pinotage you have Abrie Beeslaar. When I think of Shiraz it has to be Jacques Borman. And when it comes to Chardonnay there can only be one... Gary Jordan. His track record speaks for itself, which is why I was very excited to find a lonely bottle of the Jordan 2009 Chardonnay hiding on the shelf of the Tops near my house. Needless to say I immediately bought it to try the evening.

It’s weird, but when someone does something absolutely brilliant, for many of us our first reaction is to laugh. And it is the same with this wine. As soon as I brought the glass to my nose I couldn’t help but laugh. Roasted coconut, cooked pears and baked apples on the nose. A hint of pineapple on the palate, citrus fruit and beautifully integrated oak gives you a big, round palate, and with the acidity still in place this wine could easily age another couple of years. I bought it for R110, and I think it is an absolute steal! Another great wine by the master of Chardonnay.

17+

Botanica 2011 Chenin Blanc

Why is it that some music is just better than the rest in a specific genre? I am currently listening to some blues, and the fact of the matter is that Muddy Waters, Clapton, and BB King are just a cut above the rest. And it doesn’t matter if another musician is technically just as good as the above mentioned Bluesmen, but the music they produce is for some reason just not a thing of legends.

I feel the same way about wine; some are just better than others, and that will always be the case. It is still very early to start labelling the Bonatica Chenin Blanc as a legendary wine, but the signs are there to suggest that this might just become one of those wines. The 2011 vintage shows tropical and citrus notes, with pineapple, peach and apricot to be found on the nose. The palate is full and complex with great oak integration (50% of the wine was matured in 400 liter barrels for 9 months). Hints of marzipan, citrus, and minerality on the palate will keep you sipping away all night long. A good acidity adds structure to the wine and will ensure that it ages for some time to come. It retails for about R140 per bottle. It is a massively good wine, and might just be a legend of Chenin Blanc in time to come.

17.5+

Alexander Fontein Chip Off The Old Block Sauvignon Blanc 2013

I don’t know if you have listened to the new U2 single recorded for the Madiba movie yet, but it is once again a great song! That’s the thing with U2; album after album they produce music of the highest quality. It might differ in style a bit from album to album, but you know it will be good.

That’s a bit how I feel about the higher end Sauvignon Blancs from Alexander Fontein. The Chip off the old Block Sauvignon Blanc 2013 is one of these, affirming their status as one of the best Sauvignon Blanc producers with this wine named in the FNB Top Ten Sauvignon Blancs of 2013. The nose is generous with gooseberries, granadilla, and ripe figs the prominent flavours. The fruit continues on the palate and is complimented by a soft minerality, good acidity which is beautifully balanced, and a very long finish. It is a great wine, and when you consider the price (it sells for about R70 per bottle) it gets even better! This is one of the Sauvignon Blancs to stock up on for those really hot days ahead in the summer.

Score: 17

Stellenrust 48 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2012

Why is it that when someone does something brilliant your first inclination is to laugh? John Mayer was talking in an interview about one of the John Mayer Trio songs a few years back, and he was commenting on their approach to covering a Hendrix song. They just starting jamming it, and suddenly Steve Jordan (the drummer) started playing this insane beat, and all John Mayer and Pino Palladino (the bassist) could do was laugh. Laugher is the awkward reaction to something so brilliant that we don’t know what else to do!

That was my reaction upon tasting the 48 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2012 by Stellenrust. This wine is fast becoming one of the iconic Chenin’s in South Africa, performing brilliantly year in and out, as portrayed in this specific vintage by winning the IWSC Chenin Trophy. On the nose there are under ripe pineapple, wet hay, wet wool, and hints of pear. On the palate the fruit shines through beautifully with ripe pear and soft pineapple flavours combining perfectly with touches of vanilla, giving it a fatty palate which I just love. The use of oak on this wine, together with a good acidity, ensures that ageing will not be a problem for this wine. It cost R115 per bottle, so go and buy this by the case for one bottle will not be enough! It is much like Hendrix in that if you start listening you want to put the album on repeat and just keep the magic flowing!

Score: 17.5

Alexander Fontein Sauvignon Blanc 2013

There is nothing better than a quaffer of a Sauvignon Blanc to get you through those hot summer days, and for the last couple of years that wine has been the Alexander Fontein Sauvignon Blanc. So I thought I’d give the new vintage (2013) a try. It retails for around R50 a bottle – depending on where you buy it – and to place the cherry on top of an already tasty cake, it won gold at the recent Veritas awards.

On the nose you find gooseberries, green figs, and just a hint of minerality. The palate is in the same vein with the gooseberries shining through, accompanied by notes of passion fruit and subtle asparagus. The acidity on this wine is very high, and normally I love that in a Sauvignon Blanc, but in this one it is so high that it bothered even me a bit. It just threw the balance of the wine completely off. I even struggled to finish my second glass, and that is a pity, because it ruins what otherwise is a good wine. So for the same price I would rather buy the more balanced Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc to have my back this summer…

Score: 15

Bosman Family Vineyards 2012 Cinsaut

I love it when winemakers take themselves out of their comfort zones and try something new. But is change just for the sake of change a good thing? Take Roger Federer for example: his entire career he has played with 90-square-inch racket frame, but this year (the least successful in more than 10 years) he has changed racket to one with a 98-square-inch frame. It can be a coincidence that this year has gone so badly for him, or it may be that he is toying with something that need not be toyed with.

Bosman Family Vineyards has released a limited edition Cinsaut to their Wine Club members at R120 per bottle, the first Cinsaut released by the estate. I am a massive fan of Corlea’s wines, so I was very excited to taste what she had done with this new addition to the wine list. The wine is very berry-driven on the nose and palate. You are intoxicated by the raspberries, mulberries, and strawberries you find on both the nose and the palate. There are subtle vanilla flavours on the palate from the use of oak. The acidity on this wine is good and carries the wine nicely. Solid mid-palate and finish as well. There is quite a bit of oak on the palate, and possibly just a bit too much I feel. It just takes over that beautiful freshness brought to the palate by the acidity a little bit. That being said, it is still a really good wine, probably even better than just a “good” wine.

With all the Bosman wines being excellent wines, is this Cinsaut then something which is unnecessarily added to an already brilliant wine list? I think not. It adds something else to a great portfolio of wines. It brings a change that keeps them up to date with the current trend of beautiful Cinsuats being produced in South Africa. It keeps them in the game, which is hopefully what Federer’s new racket will do for him…

Score: 16     

Collaboration Cinsaut 2011

Has the King of Cab gone rogue? Yes, it is Cinsaut; no, it is not Swartland; and yes it is Louis Nel. Have I missed something??!! Does the saying not go “Jack of all trades, master of none”? We are so used to seeing Louis Nel’s name on a bottle of Cab, and of course seeing “Wine of Origin Swartland” on a bottle of Cinsaut that the entire combination is just confusing. I remember seeing a Hugh Laurie album after he finished playing the character “House” on the television and thinking that this can not end well for anyone. More or less the same thought came to mind when I saw this wine for the first time.

First things first, the wine is called “Collaboration” for a reason. It is the result of the combined efforts of Nel, Craig Cormack, and Bertus Basson. It is also the first vintage of this wine, although it could possibly be a once-off vintage as well. We’ll have to wait and see.

Initially the nose presents with loads of ripe raspberries and blueberries, but as it opens up those initial sweet berries are pushed into the background to make way for black cherries which lead the way to the palate. On the palate you still get hints of the ripe fruits, but red and black cherries are most prominent, together with the slightest hint of dried peaches. But the beauty of this wine lies in the acidity which gives it a massive freshness and cuts through the soft tannins to carry it immensely well. A couple of years in the bottle will do this wine good, but it isn’t made to age for a massively long time. It goes for R100 a bottle which really is not a lot, so get out there and enjoy it now.

Getting back to Hugh Laurie, I bought the album and was soon eating my words as he is a brilliant musician creating some of the best blues around. It is the same with the Collaboration Cinsaut. Maybe talented people are just that: talented, and will succeed at whatever they do; and hopefully this isn’t the last vintage of a promising wine that we will get to taste.

Score: 16.5  

Beau Joubert Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2012

An increasingly positive focus has been placed on Chenin Blanc in the last 5 years or so. And why not??!! Chenin is as local as biltong, rugby, and braai. It may however be the case that this beautiful grape has brought the name of South African wines in disrepute in the past, but a new generation of winemakers have been trying really hard (and some have been succeeding) in raising the quality-bar with regards to Chenins.

The Old Vine Chenin Blanc from Beau Joubert is one of the wines which is lifting the bar in terms of quality. It has beautiful notes of honeysuckle, pineapple, and green apples on the nose. On the palate there is a good balance between fruit and oak, with just a hint of spice adding to the complexity of the wine. It is not overly oaked, spending only 3 months in barrels of which only 30% was new oak. It has a good acidity giving it the potential to age well.

Score: 15.5

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!!   

Savvy In The Sun

This year has just rushed away from me and I did not taste, nor least of all blog, nearly as much as I wanted to. None the less, I have a couple of blogs lined up, so the goal is to pump out a new entry once a week from here on in. So, without any delay, I give you Dombeya!!

In recent times, the Dombeya range has taken a back seat and become somewhat of a “second label” to the more prestigious Haskell range. This being said, I do not think that the Dombeya wines have regressed in any way since the introduction of the Haskell range. Under the watchful eye of Rianie Strydom the wines have blossomed and received numerous awards, showing her passion for the wines while at the same time underlining the quality caught up in each bottle. The name “Dombeya” comes from the Dombeya tree (native to our beautiful country) which is planted on the estate itself. Enough with the foreplay, let’s get to tasting…

Sauvignon Blanc 2012: This is a fruit driven wine, with green apple, melon, and tropical fruit flavours presenting a full palate. It’s not an over-complicated wine, but one which is easy to enjoy while leaving you wanting more. The price is very reasonable at R60 per bottle, and to top it off, you should be able to find it in some of the local retailers. It is great value for money, and I give it 3.

Chardonnay 2011: The Chardonnay is one of the more oak driven Chardonnays which I have tasted the last couple of months. It was oaked for 10 months, with 40% new oak being used. The nose presents with toasted almonds and a hint of apricot. The palate is beautifully full and round, with the fruit taking a bit of a backseat to the oak flavours, leaving you with a long lingering vanilla aftertaste. If you are not a fan of the oak driven Chardonnays then this one is not for you. However, it is a beautiful wine and one which you should try at least once, never mind your predisposition to the use of oak with regards to Chardonnay. It costs R90 which is pretty much on par if you ask me. All things considered I think it is a very good wine, thus a rating of 4.

Merlot 2008: I am so grateful that there are still some wineries which produce serious Merlots!!! Oaked for 16 months, 30% new oak, this is not a sissy, light and fruity wine. Anything but… On the nose you get whiffs of tobacco and liquorish, which are complemented by loads of intense fruit on the palate. There are still some soft tannins present which makes me want to keep it another 2 years in the bottle before drinking it, but if you are the impatient type you are more than welcome to enjoy it now seeing as it is drinking very nicely indeed. R85 per bottle is not expensive at all for this wine, and at the moment I will give it 3.5, but as I said, I think it will still improve over the next 2 years.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: It is a very classical example of a Stellenbosch Cab. Dark berries and currents dominate the nose and the palate with black currents leading the way in this full bodied wine. If anything, the mid-palate is a bit thin, but it comes through strong on the finish again. Being oaked for 16 months, 30% new oak, the Cab really needs some more time in the bottle with the tannins still being a bit grippy. Just like the wines mentioned above, the Cab is very well priced at R85 per bottle and is a bargain buy if you do like a classical, full bodied Cab. I give it 3.5

Boulder Road Shiraz 2008: I have always been a fan of this wine, and the 2008 vintage does not disappoint at all! It has a very savoury nose, with hints of berries and black pepper providing backup. On the palate the black pepper and spices are abundant, with raspberry and soft fruit providing the perfect finish to a very well balanced wine. It spent 12 months in oaked, once again 30% new oak, and can be enjoyed now, but will also improve with some ageing. It was definitely my favourite of the reds, and I will gladly purchase it at R96 per bottle. It gets 4.

Altus 2007: Altus is a Bordeaux Blend consisting of 59% Cab, 37% Merlot, and 4% Malbec. Oaked for 12 months, 40% new oak, it is a full bodied wine which is drinking beautifully at the moment. The nose presents with hints of spearmint and liquorish, with the palate dominated by black currents and black cherries, giving you a full and lasting aftertaste. It is a big wine, one which will compliment food, but why spoil something which is so pretty on its own? It costs R120 per bottle at the cellar door, and it gets a 4 from me.

I have to say that the experience of tasting at Haskell (Dombeya) is a very pleasant one. The view is breathtaking and the wines are very good. If you are in the mood for something to eat, the Long Table restaurant is right next to the tasting room and they have a great menu from which to choose. I do believe that it is worth your while to make the trip out to Stellenbosch and pay them a visit. You will not be disappointed. That’s it for this week. Next week I take a look at Aàldering Wines, but ‘till then, keep Pounding Grape!    

I'm back baby!!!

It’s been quite some time since my last entry, but at long last I’m back and (hopefully) here to stay for a while. During the past month I haven’t had a great deal of time to visit the wine routes, but I have made time to drop in at Morgenhof a couple of weeks ago, and I just got back from a tasting at Spier. So let’s get this show on the road again!!

The last time I visited Morgenhof (www.morgenhof.com) was probably 18 months ago, and I forgot just how beautiful the gardens are and the calming effect that they have on you. It really is a delight to taste at Morgenhof as the people are some of the most friendly that you will encounter on the Stellenbosch wine route, and they are very informative. Let’s see how the wines do…

Sauvignon Blanc 2010:  The Sauvignon Blanc weighs in at R79 per bottle. The nose is quite light with hints of tropical flavours and green pepper. It has good acidity on the palate which I enjoyed. However, it just is not a big enough wine to justify the price. The nose is too light and the aftertaste just is not there. It gets 2.5.

Chardonnay 2010: The Chardonnay is oaked for 6 months in French oak barrels, and I have to mention that the oak does not overpower the fruit and this is one tick it gets. The palate presents with pineapple and vanilla, but there is no follow through on the palate. It is better than the Sauvignon Blanc, but at R89 per bottle it is not worth remembering. It gets 3.

Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2008: This is the entry level red. There are some promising signs of dark currents on the nose which goes on to be complemented by soft berries on the palate. The aftertaste is not massive, but it is more of an easy drinking wine than anything else and it does a good job of being just that. It costs R65 per bottle and gets a rating of 3.

Merlot 2006: Now we start getting to the more serious side of things. For a start, the nose is much more promising than any of the previous wines. You’ll find dark plums, cherries, and just a hint of mint on the nose. This combines with soft tannins on the palate to ensure quite a pleasurable aftertaste. At R130 per bottle I really do think it is a bit overpriced, but it is all the while a good wine. It gets 3.5.

Morgenhof Estate 2005: This flagship wine consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. The nose is good, but I expected it to be a bit fuller seeing that it has had some time to mature in the bottle. Black currents, mocha, and just a hint of tobacco on the nose, and on the palate this is complemented by soft raspberry flavours. To be painfully honest, I expected a lot more of a flagship wine which costs R249 per bottle. I really do believe that all of the wines are overpriced and overrated. The Estate gets a rating of 3.5.

We all know Spier (www.spier.co.za) as this massively tourist focused estate, and I am not saying that this is a negative thing. The new tasting room is an absolute delight to visit. It is a very open-plan room with a great deal of space, so even though it was a busy day at the cellar door it didn’t feel like I was in a shed being squashed by a herd of sheep. The service is very friendly and the questions which I did ask were answered very well. You can find the Signature range in the supermarkets, while the other ranges are available at the cellar door.

Signature Sauvignon Blanc: This entry level Sauvignon Blanc had a delightful nose with ripe gooseberries and passion fruit first in line to greet me. The palate is very fruit driven with just the slightest bit of green pepper popping in for a visit as well. At R47 per bottle it is really good value for money, and I will give it a deserving 3.

Creative Block 2 2011: I was really surprised by the nose of the Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend. It is dominated by unripe gooseberries, and with this start I was very exited to see what the palate would deliver. The gooseberries take a bit of a back seat to tropical flavours on the palate, and there is just the slightest hint of apricot on the aftertaste. It is a full bodied, complicated wine, and I think it still needs time to develop in the bottle. It costs R85 per bottle and gets 3.5.

21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2010: The 21 Gables has replaced the previously known Private Collection range, which is a bit of pity when you consider the quality of the Private Collection wines. By saying this I am not taking anything away from the 21 Gables range, as you will soon come to see. The Chenin Blanc is oaked for a whopping 14 months. The oak is very prominent on the nose and the palate, but importantly it does not dominate the wine. Combining with the oak you will find apricot and citrus flavours, leaving you with a massive aftertaste of toasted vanilla and luscious fruit. This is a serious wine, and at R118 per bottle it is really good! It gets 4.5.

Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2010: The Signature range is the entry level wines and all the reds in this range costs a mere R54 per bottle. The Cabernet Sauvignon shows hints of currents and blackberries on the nose, accompanied by hints of spice on the palate. It does not have a massive aftertaste, and it did not impress me that much. It is an easy drinking wine and gets a rating of 2.5. I have to make special mention of both the Pinotage and the Merlot in the Signature range that are both worth buying.

Creative Block 3 2009: This blend of Shiraz, Mourvedre, and Viognier is one of the stand-out wines on the tasting sheet! The nose is very perfumy, with hints of sweet fruit and candy floss. On the palate there is ample fruit to titillate the palate, with soft spices and vanilla on the aftertaste. This one is a keeper!! Just buy a box, drink a couple, and leave the rest to age for 5 years. This will be absolutely divine in the future! I really struggled to rate it. I was leaning towards 4.5 for most of the time, but I will reluctantly give it a rating of 4.

21 Gables Pinotage 2009: The Flagship red is oaked for 20 months and has a massive nose! Loads of cherries on the nose, and somewhere in the background plum flavours are trying to be seen. They do get their chance to show off a bit on the palate, and these two are joined by the slightest hint of cinnamon and Christmas cake spices. I want to take this bottle out for dinner and generally just show it a good time, treat it well for a while, and then enjoy it to the fullest!!! An absolute beauty! It costs R158 per bottle, and I would pay it with a smile on my face. I’ll give it 4.5. It will definitely improve given some time to mature.

That’s it for the comeback tour. You’ll hear from me again in the near future, but until then enjoy Pounding Grape!!!     

The Best Kept Secret In The Boland

It has been a while since my last entry, but circumstances made it impossible for me to update the blog. At least I’m back, and with no less than two 5 star wines to tell you about. So hold on tight, ‘cause this one ‘aint for the faint of heart!

The two estates I am focussing on are Bosman and Boschkloof vineyards.

Bosman Family Vineyards (www.bosmanwines.com) are in the heart of the Wellington wine route and has a very rich history of family winemaking intertwined with a great sense of economic empowerment focussing on the surrounding community, coupled with a high ecological awareness. This was a promising start, but are wines any good? To say that they produce good wines would be the understatement of the year!!!

Sur Lie Chenin Blanc 2011: The Family Selection is the entry level wines, but I have to admit that the wines are a bit better than entry level wines… The Chenin Blanc will only cost you R50 per bottle, and it has a lot of potential. It is a fatty wine, with apricot, peaches, and biscuits on the palate. It has a nice acidity to it, and I believe it will only get better with age. At this point in time I will give it a rating of 3, but give a year and that will definitely be higher.

Mont Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011: The Sauvignon Blanc took me by surprise. Fresh asparagus on the nose follows through on the palate, and is complimented by mineral, flinty characteristics, and just a hint of guava. I was most pleased by the high acidity shown by this wine! At R50 a bottle I can say with a fair bit of confidence that this is the best value for money white wine at the moment. It gets 3.5.

Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2010: O my holy cow!!! This is most probably the best (or at least one of the best) white wines I have enjoyed in my life. Oaked for 9 months, this is one of the most complex, and at the same time pleasing, wines I have had the privilege of drinking. On the nose you get honeysuckle, hints of apricots, and canned pineapples. Some of the oak flavours compliment the fruit, but it is on the palate where the oak shines through. The mid-palate is where the two combine to leave you thinking and rethinking this massive crash of flavours happening in your mouth. The follow through just keeps on giving and giving, and you start to wonder if you ever want to drink anything else again. And the answer is definitely no. If I had a choice I would drink this every day of every month of every year! It costs R175 per bottle, and is with out a shadow of a doubt deserving of the first 5 star rating in the white wine category.

Adama Red 2009: This Shiraz-based blend was the first of the red wines tasted. It is a classic with solid meaty and pepper flavours first up in the palate, followed by some juicy currents and plums softening it to ensure a full bodied wine. I thought that the price is also very fair at R95 per bottle. This was just a sign of what was still to come… 3.5.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007: This is great example of a classic Cab with an edge. You have a lot of dark currents and some pencil shavings on the nose, and the currents are very prominent on the palate as well. Having laid the ground work, the way is paved for brilliant green, herbaceous flavours flowing on the nose and the palate. This makes for a great wine. There are still some tannins to play with, and this will keep on getting better for another number of years. It weighs in at R120 per bottle, and gets a rating of 4.

Pinotage 2009: Wellington is known for its extreme heat, but it is also known for its Pinotage, and Bosman Family Vineyards does not disappoint. This is a serious wine! Juicy berries, raspberries, caramelized banana, vanilla, and some currents all want to please and pleasure you at the same time. This is the definition of a sexy wine. It always leaves you wanting more, and believe me, once you’ve had a sip, you will keep on coming back for more!! R185 per bottle, and a rating of 4.5, ensured that I ended off on a very high note!

Next up is Boschkloof Wines (http://www.boschkloofwines.com/). Situated on the

Polkadraai Road

just outside Stellenbosch, Jacques Borman and his son, Reenen, are creating some of the most beautiful wines in the Stellenbosch wine district. Having been winemaker at La Motte for 20 years, Jacques knows what he is doing, and is building up the Boschkloof name in some fashion! You simply have to go and experience the atmosphere and the superb hospitality.

Sauvignon Blanc 2011: The Sauvignon Blanc is a breath of fresh air being a more fruit driven white. You’ll find passion fruit and gooseberries on the nose, complimented with guava flavours on the palate. It has good acidity, but it does not scream and shout. It simply joins in with the fruit to create a flowing harmony. It is good value for money at R54 per bottle, and it gets a rating of 3.

Chardonnay 2010: The Chardonnay is characterised by the balance between the oak and the fruit of the wine. Neither one talks louder than the other; it is more like a well rehearsed duet. Lemon and citrus zest combines with soft undertones of buttery vanilla. If you like your Chardonnay tasting like a block of butter, this one is not for you. But this is exactly why I believe this wine to be very good, because it tries to let the grapes do the lead vocals with the oak merely singing backup in the background. It costs R64 per bottle, and gets a rating of 3.5.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009: In terms of value for money red wines, you will not find anything which will beat this blend. It is more than just a value for money wine, because it is still a serious wine. On the nose you find chocolate, plum, and mulberry flavours, which really follow through on the palate, leaving you with just a hint of vanilla on the aftertaste. There are still some tannins, but it is soft tannins. This means that it drinks brilliantly at the moment, but it will only get better with time! It costs a mere R54 per bottle, and gets a rating of 3.5.

Merlot 2007: The Merlot is drinking quite beautifully at the moment. It is a complex wine, not one of the lightweight merlots which you find so often in the Stellenbosch area. Soft plums of the nose are complimented with hints of cloves and cinnamon, chocolate, and walnuts. It has a seriously big finish to add that final knockout punch. As I have said, it is drinking beautifully, but if you want to know what this wine is really about, you have to age it at least 3 more years. It costs R79 per bottle (which is once again a steal) and gets a rating of 4.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2008: The Cab is characterised by intense dark currents and cloves, and just a hint of pepper as well, and this is just on the nose. On the palate the spices take a back seat to the currents and the tannins. This is once again a big, full bodied wine, and I hope you are picking up the pattern here… It costs R84 per bottle, and is once more worthy of a rating of 4.

Syrah 2009: I am a massive fan of this wine. It overflows with the complexity of the flavours, with mocha, and perfumy flavours on the nose, this is met by spices and dark berries on the palate. There is a good amount of tannins, but once again it is fine tannins, so it is not in your face. It just reminds you that it is there… I costs R98 per bottle and gets a rating of 4.5.

Conclusion 2009: This has to be the Holy Grail of red wines! The 2009 vintage of this Bordeaux blend is everything that you will ever look to find in a wine, and so much more. Immediately the herbaceous, green aromas which the Cabernet Franc brings to the table strike you. Then, slowly but surely, plums and currents start to emerge, but not so as to push the herbaceous notes out of the picture. The mid-palate and finish will not disappoint you; in fact, it will be one of the best mid-palate wines you will ever taste. It has loads of soft tannins, making my mouth water with the image of what this wine will taste like in 7-10 years time. It will cost you R190 per bottle, and I will pay this time and time again!! This is definitely the best red wine I have had the honour of drinking. This is my first 5 star red wine!!!

I was very fortunate to taste the awesome wines of Bosman Family Vineyards and Boschkloof wines. I strongly urge you to take the time and head on over to taste some of the wine that will change you interpretation of what great wines really taste like! Until next time (hopefully sooner rather than later), enjoy Pounding Grape!!!

Hot, Hotter, Hottest... What comes next?

It looks like another scorching day in the Western Cape, and my white wine supply has taken quite a knock during the past week. This meant that I had to go looking for something to take my mind off this (seemingly) never ending reign of the sun. Consequently, I was off to Oldenburg and Delheim, in the hope of finding something that will tickle my taste buds, and hopefully cool me down at the same time.

Oldenburg (http://www.oldenburgvineyards.com/) is one of South Africa’s top boutique wineries. Not only do they have some great wines, but the setting is absolutely breathtaking! They are situated on the Helshoogte-pass, on the Zevenwacht road, and it takes a while to get there. Not because they are a long way from the turn-off, but purely because you can’t stop looking at all the beauty around you. The tasting room is built facing the mountains and the vineyards. It is built in a very modern style, but it isn’t pretentious. Marietjie is the cellar door manager, and she will ensure that you have a great time! She makes you feel right at home, knows all there is to know about their wines, and focuses all of her energy on the people who walk through their doors.

Chenin Blanc 2011: The Chenin Blanc was oaked for nine months in French oak barrels, and the toasted flavours present themselves beautifully on the nose and the palate. This is complemented by the tropical fruit flavours, pineapple being the leader of the pack. On the aftertaste you get hints of vanilla and toasted almonds. Being a boutique vineyard, the prices are higher than your run of the mill estate, and this one weighs in at R118 per bottle. In my opinion, it is just a bit on the young side and still needs time to develop. It gets 3.

Chardonnay 2010: Oaked for nine months, the Chardonnay shows what could happen if you let your white wine age for a while. Hints of apricots and citrus zest is accompanied by butter and coconut flavours. A great integration of oak and fruit gives you a wine which you would want to have plenty a glass of. Like the Chenin Blanc, it also costs R118 per bottle, but in my opinion, this is the better buy. I’ll give it 4.

Cabernet Franc 2009: I am also very excited when I find a Cabernet Franc on a tasting sheet, especially if it is available for tasting. There are not many estates which produce a 100% Cabernet Franc. Some others are Warwick, Hermanuspietersfontein, Alluvia, to name a few. The reason I love it so much, is because Cabernet Franc is a bit more complex, purely because we don’t know it very well in South Africa. The nose is very herbaceous, with subtle hints of ripe cherries emerging almost as an afterthought. On the palate the green, herbaceous flavours take a back seat to the cherries and some lovely currents. I would not rate it as my favourite Cabernet Franc, but it is pretty damn good! It costs R182 per bottle, and gets a rating of 4.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009: This is a classic Cab. It spent 15 months in the barrel, 20% new oak, and is everything you want in a Cab. Hints of mint on the nose, and then a massive amount of currents come bursting on to the scene. It is still a bit young, but given some time, it will be one to remember. Once again it costs R182 per bottle, and it also gets a rating of 4.

Shiraz 2009: This was the pick of the reds for me. It spent 17 months in both French and American oak, so there is the complexity one looks to find in a good wine. There is some mocha flavours on the nose, being partnered by hints of spice. On the palate you’ll find quite a bit of berries, soft christmas cake spices, and the mocha following through. It is very, very good wine, all be it that it is still young. This will age beautifully, and will develop into an awesome wine! It costs R182 per bottle, and, at this point in time, I will give it 4.

The setting at Delheim is beautiful. You walk through the lovely gardens before entering the tasting room, and by then you’re in such a great mood already that nothing can get you down; or so I thought… I haven’t been there for a while, and the tasting room has not changed. The atmosphere is still pleasant, and the cobwebs in the window brings a great character to the tasting room. You do not get a great deal of personal attention, but this is what we have come to expect from the so-called “mainstream” estates. Now we get to the wines…

Heerenwijn 2011: This is the entry-level white wine. It is a blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40& Chenin Blanc. There are hints of pineapple flavours on the nose and the palate, and some fresh apple, but not much more than that. It is not a great wine, but it isn’t the worst that I’ve tasted. It costs R42 (which is too much), and gets a rating of 2.5.

Chardonnay 2010: This Chardonnay is lightly oaked, and presents with hints of apricot and butter, but once again there is no body behind the wine. I don’t know if the bottle which I tasted was open for a couple of days, but I was not overly impressed. It costs R62 per bottle, which is, once again, overpriced. It also gets 2.5.

Chardonnay Sur Lie 2010: This was a much better wine. It spent 11 months in the barrel, and that is a very long time. You’ll find that both on the nose and the palate the flavours are dominated by the oak. A lot of butter, vanilla, and toasted almond flavours shine through, but not much fruit. I know there are people who enjoy this style of Chardonnay, but I am not one of them. However, it is still a very good wine. It costs R130 per bottle, and I will give it a rating of 3.5.

Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2010: This entry-level red wine costs R42 per bottle, and I was excited about that, seeing that I’m always on the look out for great value for money wines. However, this is not one of them. There is a lot of fruit on the nose, but on the palate it just tastes like a cheap wine. This is not a wine which I will remember for the right reasons… It gets a rating somewhere under 2.

Pinotage 2010: The pinotage was a country mile better than the blend. On the nose there was a lot of berries, plums, and just a hint of vanilla. The palate is dominated by fruit, with mulberries standing out, complemented by a good aftertaste. At R89 per bottle the price is not bad, but there are other wines which I would prefer above this one. It gets 3.

Vera Cruz Shiraz 2007: This is the flagship of the estate, and at R245 per bottle, it had to be good, and it did not disappoint. Oaked for 15 months in mostly new barrels, you will find a great deal of mocha and plums on the nose. There are hints of spice on the nose and the palate, and the intense mocha and plums continue on the palate. The tannins have settled down a bit, although there are still plenty to ensure that you can still age it for a few years. The pick of the wines at Delheim, and it gets 4.

That’s it for this entry. I’m off to Boschkloof today, so you can expect to learn all about them in the upcoming entry. Remember, the only way survive this heat, is to keep on Pounding Grape!!!   

I'v got soul, but I'm not a singer...

So, the holidays are done and dusted, and it’s back to reality. Hopefully I can cheer you up a bit by bringing you the good news that all you need to relax is a bottle of wine and some friends. And what better estates to do that than Warwick and Lievland!!

I was there on Thursday to taste some wines and to get a feeling of how they do it.

For those of you who do not know anything about Lievland, it is a very small estate out on the R44 on your way to Paarl from Stellenbosch. When I say small, I mean really small. There are cows and sheep grazing not too far from the tasting area, and a few ducks splash around in the pond nearby. This makes for a very relaxing time indeed. The tasting itself is also very informal, with the assistant giving you the bottles and you helping yourself. All this almost made up for the fact that she didn’t really know anything about wine…

Sauvignon Blanc 2011: The Sauvignon Blanc was not amazing. It had hints of tropical fruit, and a bit of Golden Delicious apple on the palate, but at the end of the day there was no depth or follow through on either the nose or the palate. It isn’t a horrible wine at all, but for R50 there are a number of other Sauvignon Blancs that I would rather buy. It gets 2.5.

Lievlander 2008: The Lievlander is a delightful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz. There are loads of ripe berries on the nose, complimented by hints of cherries and some nice peppery spices. On the palate you find more of the same, with the Shiraz coming through a bit more to give a nice peppery, savoury, aftertaste. The price makes it taste even better! At R50 a bottle this wine can do no wrong. It gets a solid 3.

Shiraz 2005: The Shiraz was the pick of the wines at Lievland. There are quite a bit of spice on the nose and the palate, with the soft cherry flavours just to even out the spices slightly. There is still a little bit of tannins, but most of them have softened by now. It costs R100 per bottle, which is not bad for a flagship wine, but I do not think it is twice as good as the Lievlander. After tasting the Lievlander I was expecting a great booming Shiraz to end off on a good note, but it was a bit of an anticlimax. I rate it at 3.5.

The second stop was Warwick (http://www.warwickwine.com/). I have always been a big fan of their wines, and in the last year and a half, they have really put in an effort to renovate the whole tasting area. The outcome is that there is now a small deli to go with the beautifully rebuilt tasting room. For those of you who do know the estate, do not worry, the great deck is still outside overlooking the pond. In addition to this you can now order gourmet picnics to enjoy as well.

I have to say, the service was a bit slow at times. I know that it is the peak of the season for the wine estates, but if you know this is the case, rather have too many people on staff than to have a few running around the whole time. Having said this, they are very friendly, know their wines, and luckily I was not in any rush. So I had a great time - it has to be said!

Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2011: It is a great summer wine. It’s a full wine with tropical flavours, green apples, and gooseberries on the nose. This follows through on the palate. It has really good acidity, which I always enjoy. At R95 per bottle it is not cheap by any means, but it is a quality wine! I’ll give it 3.5.

Chardonnay 2010: The Chardonnay is oaked for 10 months in French oak barrels, and the oak is very prominent on the nose and the palate, but thankfully it is not overpowering. You’ll find some peaches complimented by the vanilla and almond flavours given by the oak. This is a big wine, and I would say one to pair with food. It costs R135 per bottle, and gets a rating of 3.5.

The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2010: The First Lady is made in honour of Norma Radcliff, the owner and first wine maker of the estate. She was also the first female wine maker in South Africa. This is another one of my favourites. When you don’t know what to buy, this never disappoints! There are a lot of currants and oak on the nose. The currants continue in abundance on the palate, and the tannins are very present. At R60 per bottle, I believe that it is really good value for money, and you still get a well rounded, full bodied wine. 3.

‘Old Bush Vine’ Pinotage 2010: If you do not know this by now, I am a big fan of Pinotage. Thus I am always hoping to find a good one to enjoy, or just look at… The ‘Old Bush Vine’ did not disappoint. It has a variety of flavours on the nose ranging from berries to some dark chocolate, and just a hint of vanilla. The vanilla comes through a bit better on the palate, and these flavours are joined by a lot of tannins. The wine is still very young, so you expect that to be the case. It is a very good wine, but I also believe that it will develop even more over the next few years, getting better and better. R95 is not a bad price for what you get, and it deserves (at this point) a rating of 3.5.

Three Cape Ladies 2009: The Three Cape Ladies is a Cape Blend with almost a third of the blend made up of Pinotage. Currants and berries are pleasing on the nose, with mulberries popping up on the palate. The wine has a very good oak structure which combines well with the fruit to ensure that it will age beautifully. R115 per bottle is once again a fair price in my opinion, especially if you plan on aging it for a while. If you are going to let it mature for a couple of years, you will not be disappointed! It gets 3.5.

Trilogy 2008: The Trilogy is the flagship of the estate, and sells for R240 per bottle. I know that it is a lot of money for a bottle of wine, but oh my goodness it is a great wine!! It is a Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and it is a classic.

The Cabernet Sauvignon provides an abundance of currants, softer berries are brought to the table by the Merlot, and the Cabernet Franc adds some greener flavours to ensure that this wine is as full bodied as it can possibly be! The Trilogy is not some pop singer whose voice disappears into the masses; no, it has volume, body, and a lot of soul!! It is the Tom Jones of wines. By far the best wine that I’ve tasted between the two estates and it gets a rating of 4.5.

That’s it for this addition. If you have any suggestions or requests for which estates to visit, please leave a comment. I will try to post another entry this week, but until then, follow the action on Twitter: @Pounding_Grape. I am following some interesting people and wine estates as well, so go and check it out!

Till next time, enjoy pounding grape!!!         

Don't Whine, Drink Wine!!!

It’s been a while since my first post, but I was away on holiday without my computer. Don’t worry, I’m still on holiday, having piles of fun tasting the wines of the Hermanus and Botriver regions. It’s an absolute feast tasting wines that are not from the Stellenbosch area! I’ll share two of my favourites with you from the Botriver wine route: Wildekrans and Beaumont.

Wildekrans is the better known one of the two, having won a few ABSA top ten awards for their Pinotage. The estate was sold in 1997 and new vines were planted, the marketing got better, and the wines just kept on improving since then. Even though it a massive estate with no less than 17 wines to offer, you do not get that feeling when you arrive at the estate. A better description would be to call it a “farm”. It is very laid back, the people are very friendly and more than willing to help you, and probably the greatest thing to see is the amount of pride and joy they have in producing wine.

The pricelist with which you are provided at the beginning of your tasting has a column where you can rate the wines, which I thought was a nice touch. On this very extensive wine list there is a great deal of value for money wines, but I would hurry, seeing as they will be trimming it quite drastically to focus on their premium range from next year onwards.  For more information, visit their website, www.wildekrans.com

Caresse Marine Sauvignon Blanc 2011: This is their entry level white. A very light wine, with tropical fruits trying to dominate the nose and the palate. I use the word “trying” because there is not very much going on in this wine. I picked up hints of guava on the palate, but not much more than that. It is also too expensive at R48 per bottle. I would rather go for the other Sauvignon Blanc at R50 per bottle. That is a good value for money wine... The Caresse Marine however gets 2.

Chenin Blanc 2011: This is an absolute steal at R48 per bottle! It explodes with tropical fruits on the nose, driven by pineapples and hints of botrytis, and follows through on the palate with green apple flavours. It has a good amount of acid to go with the abundance of fruit flavours, and I always enjoy that. It gets a solid 3.5.

Chenin Blanc Barrel Select 2010: Wow! What a gem of a wine. Oaked for 12 months in new French oak, it is not to be messed with. There is a great balance between the fruit and the vast amount of oak used in the wine, which makes it quite complex. Citrus flavours  first up invites you to take another whiff before tasting it. The second time around some peach flavours combined with the citrus to get you so excited that you have no other choice but to taste it. And oh boy does it deliver! The fruit flavours are still abundant on the palate, but it is complimented by vanilla and almond flavours from the oak. This is a wine which I can go on and on about... It costs R120 per bottle, and gets a rating of 4.5.

Caresse Marine Cape Blend: The entry level red is not bad at all. It only costs R45 per bottle, which is not an arm and a leg. Lots of berry flavours of the nose, combining with a bit of blue gum. There are some spices on the palate, but there isn’t much more than that. 2.5.

Shiraz 2009: This was one of my favourites of the day. You’ll find that the nose presents you with a lot of red berry flavours, with some nice meaty, peppery flavours coming through at the end. The palate is very pleasing as well, with the savoury flavours taking over from the more berry dominated nose. It costs R65 per bottle, which is a very difficult price range. It is just above the line where you can call it value for money (which is about R60 per bottle), and it is definitely not in the expensive price range. What I can say is that it is very well priced, if not a bit under priced. It gets 3.5.

Pinotage Barrel Select 2009: As some of you might know, I am a big Pinotage fan. And to add to that, I have also loved this wine for quite some time. This is the mistress you hide from everyone to just enjoy by yourself!! Loads of berries on the nose, accompanied by cherries and, very distinctively, raspberries. I sat there for probably 5 minutes just sticking my nose in the glass. The palate leaves you wanting more after every single sip, and this is exactly why you do not share this wine otherwise you will hate yourself! It is very expensive at R145 per bottle, but I would pay that any time of the year for this wine. It is probably the closest I’ve come to giving a 5 rating, but I will stick to 4.5.

My next stop was at Beaumont (www.beaumont.co.za). This is another one of those estates where you are welcomed by a farm feeling. The dogs come and greet you at the car and guide you towards the tasting room. The tasting room is very informal and almost part of the cellar and the barrel room, so you really get the feeling as if you are part of it all. I have been there a couple of times before, and from personal experience I can tell you that I really hope Marelise is there to guide you through the tasting. She is the assistant wine maker and an absolute delight to chat with. I was helped by casuals who are probably helping out during the holiday season. The presentation of a tasting plays a massive role in the atmosphere at the estate and your entire tasting experience.

The entry level wines, under the Raouls’ label, are just not worth drinking and are too expensive. Both the white and the red got a rating of 2.

Chenin Blanc 2011: R66 per bottle is not too bad for a wine loaded with golden apples, hints of apricot, and very good acidity. The problem comes in when you compare it to the Chenin Blanc at Wildekrans which costs R48 per bottle. It is not a bad wine, and it is very well priced. Like I said, there is ample fruit to keep you interested. The Chenin Blanc at Wildekrans is just better and makes this one a bit irrelevant in my opinion. It gets 3.

Hope Marguerite 2010: Something extraordinary must be in the water in the Botriver area, because this is the second Chenin Blanc to leave me searching for words. The Hope Marguerite is a big, complex wine. You’d have to hold on tight, because this old bird will take you on a ride which you won’t forget any time soon! It is a classic, with apricot, botrytis, and hints of spice on the nose. The palate is even bigger, with the oak flavours combining brilliantly with the fruit to give you everything you want in a Chenin Blanc. The price for this flagship wine is R145 per bottle, and it is deserving of a 4.5 rating.

Shiraz/Mourvedre 2009: This is a blend which I normally love, and I was not disappointed this time around. It presents itself with nice meaty and spicy undertones on the nose, and this combines with some berries on the palate to create a good wine. It costs R125 per bottle, which I think is a bit too much. It will develop into a really good wine, but it just is not there yet. 3.5.

Pinotage 2009: The Botriver area is conducive to providing good Pinotages, and this one is no different. It is very well priced at R105 per bottle which is quite affordable. The tannins are by no means harsh, but they do tell you that the wine has the potential to age. The problem which I have is that I will drink it before it even has a chance to age. Plums and red berries overrun you on the nose and leave you with hints of vanilla before the next wave of attack comes at you. The palate continues in this manner, and the follow through of the wine is beautifully lasting. It gets 4.

That’s it for this week. You can follow me on Twitter: @Pounding_Grape.
Enjoy the festivities of the holiday season. Spread the love, be patient on the roads, and keep pounding grape!!!