Tag Archives: stellenbosch wine

Kanonkop Pinotage 2013

16 Saturday Jul 2016

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Nearly black in complexion showed me that this is a very extracted wine.  The nose is somewhat muted but a few swirls in the glass begin to reveal some black cherries and the telltale tar/creosote that makes Pinotage so unique.  It is a cross breed of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut only found in South Africa.

The first taste is all I expected.  Smoke, bramble and cherry hints are all present.  Licorice presents itself halfway through.  The wine offers a short burst of tannin followed by that tarry mid palate taste that I really enjoy from this varietal.  It has a nice mouthfeel, crossing from the tannic thrust over to a slightly tart acidic finish that carries some earthy components.  I like this wine a lot.  The 14.5% alcohol is well masked, making this a great pairing with some grilled beef.  I would drink this over the next 5 years at the least.  91 points and 4 stars for this $38 offering.  Salut….

kanonkop pinitage

 

De Toren Fusion V 2011

18 Saturday Oct 2014

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Back in March of this year Moxie and I went to a charity event where we bid on several interesting items in the silent auction.  One of our winning bids was a Chef’s Table dinner for 8 at Seasons 52 in McLean, Virginia.  We invited some good friends to join us and drove like lemmings to where the GPS took us.  Not until then did we realize that the restaurant was in the mall, of all places.  Not sure what we had gotten ourselves into, we traipsed into the bustling shopping center, all dressed up in our Saturday evening gear.  Once we reached the restaurant it all became clear.  Our table was well inside the restaurant, away from the madding crowd, secluded and curtained off from peering eyes.  We were introduced to several chefs and given a rundown of what to expect.  With each course, the chef in charge would come out and give us a brief outline of the dish.  The beauty of the whole thing was not having to worry about ordering.  Every plate, morsel and combination was delicious, fresh, unique and enjoyed by all.  Our waiter was great and helped make a few of the wine selections.  Sauvignon Blanc for some, Cabernet for others.  The dinner lasted well over 2 hours, the balance of the plates with the wine and friendship was amazing and well worth the money and the wait.  We will no doubt be back for another Saturday evening soiree.

The Chef's Menu

The Chef’s Menu

The first bottle we ordered was this Bordeaux blend from Stellenbosch.  It was magnificent.  A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc & 4% Petit Verdot make this a Left Bank clone if ever I saw one.  My style of vino without a doubt.   My notes had to be discrete as Moxie kept nudging me when I had my phone out….  Short smooth black and blue fruit nose from a dark purple glass.  Bordeaux-like with plums, cola, cassis, herbs and  smooth tannins with mild acidity.  I gave it 92 points with a drinking window of 2014-2020.  WS gave it 91, close enough.  I found it online for about $50 making it a 3 star wine technically but I’m gonna give it 4 because it hit on all cylinders for me.  If you see it on a wine list, don’t  be shy to order this well integrated beauty.  Salut….

de toren fusion v

Anwilka 2006

17 Sunday Aug 2014

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A South African wine from Stellenbosch with huge credentials.  It’s a joint venture between Bruno Prats (formerly of Cos D’Estournel), Hubert de Bouard  (Chateau Angelus) and Lowell Jooste of Klein Constantia.  Each of these men’s wineries are world renowned and highly respected.  I got the offer by e-mail to pick up a few bottles from my local distributor so I jumped in, each priced at about $40.

A vibrant purple greeted me along with a nose of hoisin and plums.  Some cassis became apparent after a swirl which really excited me.  Straight out of the blocks- this is a young wine with some cellaring potential still to go.  Primal fruit flavors of plum, blueberry and rooibos tea came through behind the veil of youngish tannins and acidity.  Coffee notes and some oak were apparent after some time in the glass.  The wine reminds me so much of Meerlust Rubicon, perhaps the terroir plays a role.  The blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Shiraz and 5% Merlot- an interesting combo if I might say so.  The bottle says it has a drinking window between 2014-2016.  I am gonna go a step further and say it will last another 5 years at least (2019).  I think it is worthy of 91 points versus the pro’s at 89.  Pricy for an everyday drinker it will do well with a Sunday roast as the weather cools down.  A big Ribeye would also complement the tannic structure to a T if you’re in a grilling mood.  4 stars from me.  Salut….

anwilka wine

 

Neil Ellis Pinotage 2009

27 Friday Dec 2013

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I have spent the past five weeks on a training course in Hong Kong, paired up with my friend ‘The Beave’.  Last night was our last proper dinner before the course ends and he decided on a steak house for the gang.  There were 10 of us and we proceeded to order copious amounts of beer before dinner as we settled in to our boys night out.  I ordered Lamb Cutlets when we were seated and was promptly handed the wine list by some eager Steak eaters.  I chose this Stellenbosch Pinotage as I figured it would have the flavor to hold up to to the Lamb and Mint sauce in addition to being smooth enough for the others Filets.

I really enjoy well made Pinotage and have been on a mission to seek it out as much as possible.  This wine was no exception.  It was a dark purple offering that had plum aromas and a touch of cedar on the nose.  The first taste confirmed my choice as correct.  This wine exploded with dark plums and black cherries with some good oak integration.  Spicebox and sandalwood came through on the mid palate and the tannins were fine and refreshing.  A balanced mouthfeel is always appreciated and the acidity was ever so slight yet present.  The weight of the wine was perfect for the mint sauce and the boys really enjoyed theirs with the steaks.  Restaurants always gouge on the prices so I will go with the retail pricing of about $17.  I feel this is a 90 point wine worth seeking out, 4 stars from me.  Salut….

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Spier 21 gables Pinotage 2010

04 Monday Nov 2013

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This bottle was brought to the weekend retreat by my mate, we’ll call him Johnny.  He originally introduced me to Pinotage and I have been a fan ever since.  This particular bottle is a ‘Private Collection’ from Stellenbosch that could be had for $25.

Dark and lurking in the glass it offered up generous fruit on the nose.  On the first taste it was different from other Pinotages- more serious, complex and richer.  I instantly thought of black fruits and figs.  Rich oak and a delightful tannin backbone are interlaced with some great acidity.  The wine blossomed and offered up some secondary flavors of licorice and earth.  A thoroughly enjoyable wine that kicked the flank steaks into high gear.  If you have some spare cash and want to broaden your reach, Pinotage is becoming a must-try in my book, this example being rather terrific. 90 points and 5 stars from me.  Salut….

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Golden Triangle Shiraz 2009

15 Sunday Sep 2013

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A friend brought this wine to the table, straight from her visit to South Africa.  A Shiraz from the Stellenbosch region that I found out costs about $9.  We were sitting outside on a warm humid evening in very low light so I could not really see the color.  The nose was very impressive: layers of plum, oak, spice and blueberry.  Alas, very thin and watery on the palate.  A huge disappointment as I was relishing the flavors I had already smelt.  I coaxed the plum and berry components out, and managed to enjoy the wine once I got over the weight.  The overall impression was that this could have been a really good wine, the acidity, balance and tannins were all lined up.   2 stars and 82 points.

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Spier Pinotage 2011

29 Thursday Nov 2012

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An indigenous South African grape that had bad press for many years- Spier has made the climb from the ‘bad wine abyss’ and is on track to make Pinotage a formidable variety. Crossed between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, you can only find it in SA. During Apartheid, the varietal took a slide in quality and reputation. It’s been a battle ever since, but I have faith. I have had other Spier Pinotages, this being their entry-level offering.
On the nose, bing cherry in syrup. On the palate, I can feel heat amongst the plum and cedar shavings. Weighing in at 14.5%, I’m a little surprised. Tannins are evident, giving this wine a structure to evolve for at least 5 years. I would love to re-taste in a few years as I feel it will evolve towards earthy minerality, which excites me. For the price, a definite 4 star wine. If I were a pro, probably 88 points. Juicy, go and try some…..

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Meerlust Rubicon 2007

05 Sunday Aug 2012

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This wine happens to be the favorite of two mates from South Africa.  When I saw it for sale, why not?  I was a little surprised at the relatively low cost of this iconic wine from Stellenbosch.  A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, I just knew I was going to enjoy it.  I was right.  Inky in color with tremendous young tannins, this is right up my alley.  Black fruits, black tea, balanced oak and razor sharp tannins meld together in this big wine.  It is not for the faint of heart, this wine is large, with layers of fruitiness and a constant tannic reminder to cellar this brute for a few more years to let it grow up.  I did not get much on the nose (perhaps the wrong glass?), but with coaxing and the aid of a Vinturi- you might get some blackberry compote and perhaps some mint.  I would like to re-try this bottle in my home with my glasses to see if there is more to it.  I might get some extra bottles to cellar, betting that this wine will indeed last many years. It will be interesting to see what secondary flavors evolve as I think this wine has at least 15 years in it with good balance to withstand time.  I’m giving this one 5 stars and reckon it’s a 92 pointer.