Tag Archives: western cape

Ophidian Pinotage 2018, Western Cape, South Africa

05 Thursday Nov 2020

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Pinotage is an interesting grape to me. I’m excited for this South African wine that is bright purple in the glass and semi opaque. On the nose it has telltale tar and blackberry notes. The palate is rich with sweet blackberries, bramble, earthy dust and that tar component I get so often with this varietal. The mid palate has some cola, sassafras and more black fruit. It’s got lithe tannins that build but never overtake the fruit. There’s a nice acidity but it’s not overly done. The earthiness of this wine is something to behold, it’s got a gamey note to boot. I really like the way it finishes with a flurry of different flavors wrapped in an easy drinking package. The structure encourages short term drinking so get popping. I’m paring it with leftover Kebabs and fried potatoes. 90 points for this $20 gem make it a 5 star wine for me! Salut….

Arabella Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

22 Tuesday Sep 2020

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This South African Cab is a dark shade of reddish purple and is semi opaque.  The nose is steeped in dark fruit compote, a touch of mint perhaps and coffee bean.  The initial palate is very smooth with some nice blackberry notes along with espresso and chocolate powder.  Very gentle, lithe tannins make it very easy to drink but conversely- it lacks structure for the long haul.  The mid palate is more blueberry and plum.  The finish is very fruity with nice black and blue berries to go with vanilla.  There is a hint of oak influence that I am enjoying.  The mouthfeel is really pleasing and I am thoroughly enjoying this wine as an aperitif.  It will pair nicely with lighter fare and drink well till 2024.  89 points from me and 4 stars for this $13 effort.  Salut….

KWV The Legend of Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Western Cape, South Africa

08 Tuesday Sep 2020

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It’s a rich shade of purple with thick legs and an opaque hue.  The nose is fresh, briny and full of purple fruits.  On the palate I get primal black berries, dark cherry and iodine laced oak.  The mid palate is fruity, juicy and shows off a slight tannic bite.  The dark fruits are well at play and overshadow the structural components.  The finish has a nice crunchy set of tannins that interplay with the fruit and acidity.  This wine is a touch green but I am enjoying it’s youth and basic fruitiness.  It has some structure for the short to medium term cellaring but I feel it won’t evolve too much.  This is a very decent everyday drinker that will serve well against burgers, ribs, pasta and pizza.  It gets 87 points from me and for $9 it’s a 3 star wine.  Drink till 2022.  Salut…

Nederburg The Winemasters Chenin Blanc 2016, Coastal Region, South Africa

12 Thursday Sep 2019

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Pale gold in the glass, it is crystal clear.  On the nose there’s lemon, melon, pear and lychee.  The palate echoes those flavors from front to the finish.  There is a unique mouthfeel, effervescence, without the bubbles.  The acidity is in check but not shy.  It adds depth and cut.  The Chenin Blanc varietal is widely found in France and South Africa.  Differing climates produce variations on the flavor profile but this grape is very enticing, versatile and delicious.  I am going with 88 points and 4 stars for this $9 offering that you should drink till 2022 with grilled chicken, sausage and mash or even smoked salmon.  Salut….

Nederburg The Winemasters Pinotage 2016, Western Cape, South Africa

04 Monday Mar 2019

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Opaque, murky and dark purple in the glass.  I always think of Pinotage as a very black grape, with medicinal notes, herbs, creosote and violets. Let’s see what this $12 offering gives

On the nose I get telltale tar, kerosene and purple fruits.  On the initial it is textbook- charcoal, violets, that earthy creosote and plums.  Loads of plums.  Spices add to the tannins in the mid-palate, namely cinnamon.  This is a tasty wine folks.  The finale is very restrained, tannins are present but not overpowering.  Acidity is lithe and the plummy notes are in force.  89 points and 5 stars.  Drink till 2022 with wild game, roasted chicken or moussaka.  Salut….

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Western Cape, South Africa

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

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This wine was a perennial favorite many years ago.  I gravitated to reds and rarely bought it, until I saw it on sale the other day.  I’m making Sizzling Hoisin Shrimp tonight so I figured a Sauvignon Blanc would do the trick.

This wine is faint gold in color, not quite yellow, nor deep.  The nose is bright, charming and packed with citrus notes.  Grapefruit being the major player here.  The initial taste is very refreshing, quince and citrus battling it out for dominance.  The wine has a nice balance, not overly acidic yet a touch dry and offering a hint of bitterness.  I get Almond seed on the mid palate which is probably how I sense the bitterness, it is unique.  The finish is all lemon and persimmon.  I am glad I bumped into this bottle, it really is tasty while remaining relatively modest in price.  It refreshes and will go well with my dinner but I am thinking it may take on some spicy foods as well if you are in a pinch.  89 points and 4 stars for this $13 wine.  Salut….

The Sizzling Shrimp

KWV The Legend Big Bill Red 2014, Western Cape, South Africa

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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This blend is really dark purple.  Made up of 60% Petit Verdot, 20% each of Cab Sav and Shiraz.  The nose is bursting with currants, juniper, a touch of oak and black cherry.  The palate is very interesting and tasty.  The Petit Verdot punches through with violets, dark cherry and leather.  Tannins are persistent but not overpowering, they leave the gums slightly dry but give the wine a freshness.  The mid palate gives me mocha as well as more dark cherries.  The finish reveals a vanilla note as well as some wood.  The winemaker has done a superb job of balancing the acidity, tannins and the 14% alcohol- which is not noticeable.  The mouthfeel is what I would describe as wholesome yet fresh.  It is relatively smooth with great potential to mellow out and possibly develop tertiary flavor.  90 points from me, drink till 2025 and pair it with lamb chops and garlic mash.  5 stars because this wine rocks and it runs a mere $9 (But I found it for $6.09 in NJ, you people should be running to that store).  Salut….

the legend of big bill ridiculously big