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.
Premier Stellenbosch producer, Jordan Wine Estate, has a second label, Chameleon, which seriously over-
Jordan Chameleon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008
delivers on price.
The Chameleon Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 has a bold nose with layers of leather, dark ripe fruit , cassis, mint and violet aromas. The tannins are soft and there is a long finish which leaves some mint flavours on the palate.
Slow cooked lamb will pair well with this Bordeaux blend especially if rosemary is used with the meat.
Don’t you just love Thierry and Guy’s hippo? This turned out to be a wine with an appealing label which followed through to the bottle contents. Like the hippo, they please with mouth-filling fatness.
Beautifully crisp with distinct lime and vanilla flavours to begin with, it stays on the palate for the longest time. South African Winemaker Francois Welch added quercus fragmentus, which I discovered are oak bits, during fermentation, and that gives the wine a butter fragrance.
Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2010
The Fat Bastard brand was begun by winemaker Thierry and Guy Anderson in Languedoc-Roussillon with a tiny production but today the Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines are enjoyed on both sides of the pond and happily, at the bottom of Africa too. In South Africa the brand custodian is Robertson Winery which produces Fat Bastard Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Shiraz.
I found that it paired perfectly beautifully with itself but it also enhances gently flavoured risottos and pastas; salad starters which are dressed with mayonnaise; fresh oysters and simply cooked freshwater fish. In other words, dishes that can be overwhelmed by too much flavour in the glass.
Available at Pick and Pay, Constantia for R54.99 per bottle.
The Threesome is a non-vintage, sensual blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
The Threesome
This low alcohol, easy drinking tipple gets away from the fruit forward style. Instead it has acidity as its backbone yet is beautifully balanced. Nosing it we found spearmint fragrances and on the palate restrained fruit. We happily drink this as an aperitif sitting on the jetty watching the sun go down.
Any ideas about food pairing? Let us know what your experience is.
Its affordable at only R50.00 per bottle from the cellar in Heritage Square, Cape Town.
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.
The winery was founded in 1945 on land near Stellenbosch which was first planted with grapes in 1707 by early viticulturists. 1707 Was significant because it marked the release of the first political prisoner in South Africa. It was also the first time that the term “Afrikaner” was used when a certain Hendrik Beerman called himself this, while riding through the streets of Stellenbosch after a heavy, brandy-drinking session.
PG Slabbert, Cellarmaster at Stellenbosch Hills and Sonja Burger, features writer for Farmer's Weekly, celebrating the new release
In the early years from 1945 onwards, distilled wine for the production of brandy was made. What is interesting about this period is that the first affirmative action winemaker Abe Dawidse managed the cellar alongside the cellar master, Charlie Sparks.
These days PG Slabbert assisted by Juan Slabbert crafts mostly well priced wines from choice grapes supplied by 16 different farms, making Stellenbosch Hills effectively, a co-op. This does not mean that the winery cannot make sexy, boutique wines. To celebrate the anniversary, PG and his team have released the 1707 Reserve Duo.
The 1707 Reserve 2009 is a blend of Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier. PG explains that the quality of Chardonnay grapes coming out of the Polkedraai Hills is superlative and an easy choice for the main cultivar. Viognier brings an aromatic quality to the blend while Semillon adds a round feel. The result is a buttery yet fresh wine which I found to be perfect. Even though the barrels used were new, they were only lightly toasted so that the blend is not over powering as I find often happens with white blends which have had oak treatment. Definitely a great food wine.
Stellenbosch Hills 1707 Reserve 2009
The companion wine is 1707 Reserve 2008, a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Vedot. This wine drinks beautifully right now but can be kept for up to 5 years. It paired well with a rich, cheesy Butternut, Spinach and Feta Rotolo.
The 1707 Duo can be bought at Checkers Retail Stores and at speciality wine shops for around R81.00 per bottle for the red blend and about R60.00 for the white. An absolute steal for these quality wines!
Scanning the shelves in Pick and Pay’s wine section I was stopped in my tracks by the zany, curious label of La Capra Shiraz and on closer inspection discovered this to be one of the new value wines made by Fairview, the much loved and visited Paarl wine farm whose name is linked as much to finely crafted cheese as it is to premium wines.
La Capra wines
That evening we paired our La Capra Shiraz with barbecued ostrich sausage and sirloin steak with delicious results.
Having a chance to review the entire range of La Capra wines at the public launch was a huge bonus which I grabbed with both hands. This gypsy carnival was staged complete with oompah band, gypsy caravan and beautiful fortune teller in the form of Bridget Back, daughter of the renowned wine maker Charles Back, owner of Fairview estate.
Bridget lured us into her caravan with the promise of delightful potions and disappointed we were not.
The Chenin Blanc 2009 is perky and delicious, as are the Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Rose 2009 from Pinotage, and the Chardonnay 2009. A real treat for consumers who want to be more adventurous is that the range includes a Viognier 2009.
My favourite amongst the red wines is the Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 which is amazingly smooth with almost imperceptible oak. This can happily be drunk as an aperitif for those of us who simply can’t get enough red wine. To my mind, the Pinotage 2009, Merlot 2009 and Shiraz 2009 will compliment food really well. Also in the range is Malbec 2009 another more unusual variety wine which I will be scouring the supermarket shelves for.
All of these wines are accessible and perfect for drinking straight away.
Sipping to the sound of the Oompah Band
“What about the name?” I asked the gypsy princess. My Italian being somewhat rusty I had missed the word capra meaning goat, referring of course to the Fairview goat herd from which the very first goat’s milk cheese was produced in South Africa. La rhymes with Ra the Egyptian sun god and Capra also points to the Cape Cap, suggesting a Cape to Cairo connection.
These wines are available at Fairview Estate for the unbelievable price of R200.00 per mixed 6 bottle case. Alternately they can be bought at Pick and Pay supermarkets in the Western Cape for between R35 and R42 per bottle.
Fairview’s latest range of value wines is La Capra. The range comprises Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier as well as Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.
La Capra presented by Fairview
We decided to try the La Capra Shiraz 2008 and very easily laid the bottle waste. There is are spice flavours galore on the palate like white pepper, clove and nutmeg, and the fruity yet dry flavours remind of eating pomegranates when I was a child. We think this wine goes very well with itself but it was also great with our sirloin and ostrich sausage braai. It’s beautifully balanced and sits on the palate forever after swallowing.
If I wanted to introduce a first time drinker to a Shiraz varietal wine, La Capra Shiraz is what I would reach for.
The quirky label reminds us that Fairview is home to goat herds and produces award winning cheeses.
These wines are available at the unbelievable price of R200.00 ($28.50) per mixed case from the farm.
Another wine that we love to drink at home is Vergelegen Merlot 2006.
Vergelegen Merlot 2006
This is a lush, full-bodied wine with a little bit of spice on the palate and lots of ripe, red fruit flavours. It is smooth as silk and satisfying in every way. We are happy to drink it on it’s own but love to pair it with a rich meat stew like cottage pie. This is very much a comfort drink.
At R135.91 ($19) per bottle it is more an occasional wine rather than a daily tipple.
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.
May Eliane de Lencquesaing formally owned Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtess de Lalande, in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. Although, she acquired Glenelly Stellenbosch, in 2003, the formal opening of the estate has been delayed until the 2008 vintage wines, which were crafted solely from grapes grown on the estate, have been released for sale.
Glenelly Estate
An environmentally sensitive 600 ton cellar, created by Swiss, French and South African architects was completed last year. Some of it’s features are that fewer chemicals are used to clean tanks because water at high temperature does the job and under-floor cooling cuts energy costs. The cellar structure blends into the Simonsberg hills because of carefully coloured concrete thus minimising visual impact.
The winemaker is Luke O’Cuinneagain and Adie Badenhorst is the consultant, formally of neighbouring farm, Rustenberg. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, shiraz and chardonnay are the cultivars planted here.
de Lencquesaing is quoted in Decanter.com as saying,
I now intend to spend six months of the year in South Africa. I am very keen to ensure this is a truly South African estate, not to impose too much of my Bordeaux sensibilities on to the land.
I will be running the estate and continuing with the set up of numerous social structures for the employees from estate housing to child care to education and training courses.
Since discovering Rust en Vrede wines at the Stellenbosch Wine Festival 2009, we have been huge fans enjoying the old world elegance and balance in those that we have tasted.
Rust en Vrede Merlot 2008
As a festive season splurge we opened the merlot to experience a complex nose of dark fruit with a touch of spice. This full-bodied wine has great structure but with subtle oak, ripe plum and and long finish.
We love the quotations by Thomas Jefferson on the back label.
Rust en Vrede Merlot 2008 sells for R130.00 ($18) from the farm.
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.
Silky smooth, feminine Merlot with barely noticeable oak from a small crop on this Paarl farm. It went down so well that we forgot about the slightly extravagant price tag of R71.00.
Could probably still drink well in years to come but it seems perfect now and who wants to wait anyhow?
![[Muti]](http://www.muti.co.za/static/muti.png){kind=small}
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
