New kid on the block at Eikendal Vineyards, a 30-year old Stellenbosch farm, is Nico Grobler who is currently the winemaker since the 2009 vintage, although he has six years experience of the vineyards and terroir there. Nico has also worked at a Burgundy producer in Cote de Challonaise and that exposure reflects in the evolution of Eikendal Chardonnay from the 2008 vintage through to the current 2010. The older vintages of this wine never seem to express the freshness of the variety due to the overt use of oak whereas the 2010 release has aromas of butter and lime and on the palate is fresh, round and smooth with a long finish of grapefruit and lime.
A technique used by Nico in the latest two vintages was to pick the fruit at three different stages of ripeness – (19.5 degrees Balling – 23 degrees Balling) resulting in freshness as well as richness in the finished wine.
Nico discusses the Eikendal Chardonnay 2009 in this video.
Also presented by Nico were the Eikendal Classique Red Blends 2005, 2006 and 2008 vintages. The 2008 blend consists of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Having more merlot in the equation creates a more old-world style of wine which I find to be classy, understated and well balanced. The tannins are soft while the finish stays and stays.
Food pairings are medium rare medallions of fillet or Carpaccio with fresh beetroot and even a rich chocolate and berry tart.
Eikendal Classique is sold from the farm for R150.00. The chardonnay is sadly sold out so keep a look out for the release of 2011.
Steenberg Vineyards was first farmed by Catharina Ustings Ras, a controversial, daring immigrant
Steenberg H.M.S. Echo Red Blend 2009
from the German Baltic coast who was granted a parcel of land in 1682 by Simon Van Der Stel, making it the oldest in the Constantia Valley.
A new release from winemaker J.D. Pretorius is the third in the H.M.S. trio of wines named for battleships which were deployed during the Battle of Muizenberg in the first British Occupation of the Cape – Steenberg H.M.S. Echo Red Blend 2009. The other two wines are Steenberg H.M.S. Sphynx Chardonnay 2010 and Steenberg H.M.S. Rattlesnake Sauvignon Blanc 2010.
H.M.S. Echo is a blend of 62% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were sourced from Constantia, Robertson and Darling and each cultivar was fermented separately before spending 20 months in third-fill French barrels.
This wine is a joy to drink – aromas of peppermint and chocolate burst out of the glass.
This is a delicious, voluptuous, well balanced wine with a finish that lasts forever.
It paired very well with char-grilled T-bone steak as well as with char-grilled ostrich steak. Other great food matches would be roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary; beef and because of the minty flavour, will also work well with turkey and its traditional sweet trimmings.
On the other hand I could very happily drink it paired with only itself.
I rate this wine 18/20 – an excellent superior quality wine.
The alcohol is 14%
The cellar door price is R80.00 or R480.00 per six bottle case.
Cellar master at Constantia Glen since November 2006 is Karl Lambour whose mentor is none
Constantia Glen setting
other than ex Cheval Blanc co-owner, Dominique Hebrard.This winning duo consistently craft wines that are age worthy, premium wines amongst the best coming out of South Africa.
To keep it simple, there are three wines in the range headed up by the flagship Constantia Glen Five 2007. This classic Merlot 32% and Cabernet Sauvignon 27% led Bordeaux blend with Malbec 18%, Petit Verdot 11.5% and Cabernet Franc 11.5%, was named Best in Class 2009 IWSC; 4.5 stars Platter’s South African Wines 2011; gold medal 2009 Tri Nations Challenge; 89 points Wine Enthusiast; 89 points Wine Spectator and many more accolades besides.
This multi-faceted wine develops after being decanted and displays cedar wood and blackcurrant aromas. These are mirrored on the palate. An elegant, refined and classy wine which complements beef fillet; oven roasted quail with Parma ham or tuna steaks.
My drinking buddies from left, Liz Cotton, Rose Duggan & Jude Van Blerk
Constantia Glen Three 2007, formerly called Constantia Saddle, comprises Cabernet Sauvignon 39%, Cabernet Franc 38% and Merlot 23% and was named Best in Class 2009 IWSC and also achieved 4.5 stars in Platter’s South African Wines 2011 plus more.
The complex nose of this wine reveals aromas of pencil shavings and blackberries with dark chocolate and cedar tones. Pan-fried venison medallions with orange zest, black pepper and juniper berries; rosemary grilled lamb chops or smoked duck breast all work well with this wine.
The final wine in the trio is a fresh, impeccably balanced and classically styled Sauvignon Blanc 2009. The concentrated aromas of this wine are of guava, greengage and kiwi fruits. The palate reveals yellow fruit flavours, tempered acidity and a creamy finish. Foods to pair it with are asparagus with olive and orange butter; fresh tuna or chicken with prosciutto.
Constantia Glen is situated as the names infers, in the Constantia Wine Valley where wine production began in South Africa in 1685.
Dr Alexander Waibel, sales executive for Asia and Europe explains more here about the terroir and philosophy of Constantia Glen.
For spectacular views and beautiful wine, visit the tasting room which is open on Mondays – Fridays from 10h00 – 17h00 and on Saturdays from 09h00 – 16h00.
If I were the father of my children I’d be delighted if they presented me with Woolworths Limited Release Cabernet Franc 2007 from Diemersfontein/Raats on Sunday.
Limited Release Diemersfontein/Raats Cabernet Franc 2007
This wine is a collaboration between Bruwer Raats, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc specialist of Raats Family Wines, and the winemakers at Diemersfontein Wines.
The nose is bold with prune, black current, blackberry and even a touch of diesel aromas. The flavours are of nutmeg, white pepper and raspberry which are all beautifully balanced.
This wine pairs well with lamb dishes, poultry, lasagne and pizza. I believe that it is peaking now and drinking at its best.
Amazingly this wine which usually sells for R99.95 at Woolworths retail and online stores, is now on special for R49.95 and for this week only there is an additional 10% discount if you have one of those Woolworths benefit cards. Don’t walk – run and stock up!
I love this wine and rate it 19/20 – an outstanding wine.
Alex Milner and Stefan Gerber, who met while studying wine making in Stellenbosch, have teamed up to create a series of wines labelled Boer & Brit which recognise their great-great grandfathers, each of whom fought on opposing sides during the Boer War 1880 – 1902.
Stefan is the great-great grandson of Paul Kruger, the Afrikaner leader and then president of the Transvaal. The bitter war resulted in the British Imperial Army defeating the Boers and gaining control of the gold and diamond fields of South Africa. Leading a cavalry charge to end the siege of Kimberley, was Field Marshall John Denton Pinkstone French, 1st Earl of Ypres, the great-great grandfather of Alex.
The range of wines consists of a Sauvignon Blanc called Gezina after Stefan’s grandmother; The General which is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot and The Field Marshall, a blend of Shiraz, Mouvedre, Tinta Amarela and Carignan. Ironic back label phrases state: “The war is over – let’s party” and “With the body ofa boer and the nose of an Englishman – you can’t go wrong”.
Bob's Your Uncle
Another ofthisfunky duo’s irreverant wines is a Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon called Bob’s Your Uncle which is bottled in a brown, beer bottle complete with a crown cork.
Tucked away in the beautifully restored 18th century town houses of Heritage Square is Signal Hill Winery, bringing South African wine making back into the city of Cape Town where it began so long ago.
Jean Vincent Ridon and Kyle Anthony Zulch
Jean Vincent Ridon, winemaker of renown and famous for growing vines in Clos Montmartre, the unique Paris vineyard, was inspired to replant vines in the Cape Town city center and so Clos d’Oranje at the foot of Table Mountain was established with ungrafted Syrah vines. Other tiny suburban vineyards are in Camps Bay and Kalk Bay and the Mourvedre, Syrah and Cabernet Franc from these vines are crafted into classy wines in Heritage Square.
The oldest producing vine in the Southern Hemisphere is thriving in the Heritage Square courtyard thanks to the loving care of Kyle Zulch, winemaker and co-owner. Almost destroyed by powdery mildew, this beautiful old Crouchen Blanc vine can produce about 20 liters of wine. The 2008 vintage made 4 magnums and twelve 750ml bottles which were auctioned off to raise money for the Zip Zap Circus. Probably planted in 1771, the first landlord of the townhouses wrote in his 1785 journal about, “Drinking wine under the grape tree”.
Also part of the winemaking team since 2001 is Laurence Buthelezi . Originally from Kwazulu Natal, Laurence followed his brother to the Cape Winelands to work with him. Trained in Burgundy, Laurence relates how he first became aware of wine during church communion services and today finds learning exciting.
Laurence Buthelezi in the tiny winery
Signal Hill Winery can well be called Cape Town’s Winery with a niche market and close connection to the consumer. Any kind of wine event can be arranged in partnership with the restaurants of Heritage Square such as Caveau, Africa Café or Simply Asia.
The extensive range of wines are made with a sensitive approach to the environment by using only recycled glass bottles as well as recycled paper labels. This has even resulted in a reduction in the price of wines .
One of my favourites is the Grenache Blanc 2008 , the only in South Africa, made in an elegant old-world style. Sexy Threesome of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot is easy drinking and very French.
Follow Signal Hill Winery on Facebook or book a special tasting on 021-422 5206.
Sadly La Piccola has been sold by Oliver Jacobs and has lost all the charm that it had when Ollie was owner/manager.
The first shock when we popped in for dinner last week is that you can no longer order The Goat Father or Signal Hill Cabernet Franc by the glass. In fact you can’t order them at all because the wine list has been down graded to a take-it-or-leave-it unknown wine by the glass.
The new owner, assuming that was he, slouched around looking oh-so-disinterested and did not manage to even greet us when we arrived. Not because he was busy with other tables. We were the only diners as it happened, until one family came in to occupy a table and soccer fans sat at the bar and ordered beer. There is no vibey atmosphere and the Italian background music has been replaced.
I would hate loyal readers of this blog to experience what we did.
Watch this space for a review of another great pizza dive when we find one!
What a superb neighbourhood this is to live in where our neighbour presents us with a magnificent bottle of wine to say thanks for helping with his boat. Why would we want to be anywhere else?
Zorgvliet Silver Myn Merlot Cabernet Franc 2006
Quaffing this wine as we watched the clouds change colour over the Constantiaberg Mountains we were immediately impressed with the smooth elegance and balance. For me the main flavours were a little spice, sour cherry and mulberry. It is hard to believe that this is a second tier wine of this premium Cape Town producer.
Named Silver Myn because of historical mining that took place in the Banghoek area of Stellenbosch, Zorgvliet aims with this range to pair usual cultivars with unusual ones in high quality blends. Sauvignon Blanc with Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon with Malbec are two more examples.
At R49.60 ($7) a bottle, this is astonishing good value for money.
Steenberg Catharina 2006, named for Catharina Ras, founder of Steenberg farm, blended from cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, shiraz with some nebbiolo, sails down the throat like a catamaran in full flight. All about this wine is perfectly harmonious, finishing seamlessly with reminders of white pepper, mulberry and pomegranate.
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