Nog Minder Eenzaamheid Met Goeie Wyn

Eenzaamheid

I do recall having met with the lovely Eenzaamheid (I refer here to The Wine, not the state of being, which I have also visited but found rather distinctly un-lovely) on a prior occasion. I was not in the least disgruntled by another encounter.

WHITE:

·         Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc (2012): 29 year old vines, 2^nd vintage produced, matured on lees, 11 months in 4^th fill barrels. Coconutty pineapple oranges, citrusy Pina Colada, full, pouring cream with a squeeze of lemon, like sucking on orange peel. (*)

RED:

·         Eenzaamheid Cuvee 1693 (NV): 49% Shiraz, 28% Pinotage,  Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Mourvedre. Caramel strawberries with shortbread, marshmallow Yorkshire pudding, light whipped cream, smooth, puffs of cumin, waify.(*)

·         Eenzaamheid Pinotage Cinsault (2011): Raspberry mousse with cloves, liqueured cherries, light pinch of pepper, very soft but slightly sharp, tangy, steak with creamy sauce.

·         Eenzaamheid Shiraz/Mourvedre/Cinsault (2011): Rhone style, 81% Shiraz, 10% Mourvedre, 9% Cinsault. Chai hot chocolate with orange, sour cherry gummy sweets, sweet smoke, smooth & soft, lurking hot chocolate powder, chalky, ostrich steak with balsamic. (*)

Enlightenment from Eenzaamheid:

·         13 varietals in a Rhone style blend

·         Will be adding Grenache to the Shiraz/Mourvedre/Cinsault in 2014 vintage

·         “A fabulous giraffe print wearing cow steak”

·         “Cinsault is the hipster varietal”

·         Cinsault nose is like “Jannie verjaar koeldrank”

·         Cinsault used for dry ferment is turned into brandy

·         Only vinify 1% of the grapes grown. The rest are supplied to Perdeberg

·         Only 9% of industry doesn’t irrigate vines

Geen Eenzaamheid as Daar Wyn is

Eenzaamheid

Eenzaamheid has been producing wonderful grapes for a very long time - and after 7 years of selling all of their produce to other farms, they've finally begun to make their own wines. And I am most thankful they have!

WHITE:

•         Eenzaamheid Chenin Blanc 2011: First white produced, subtle, shy, not fruity/creamy, light, waxy green apple & vanilla pods, very dry, versatile with food – only 1,8g of sugar (*)

RED:

•         Eenzaamheid Cuvee 1693 NV:  Lovely nose, berry juice & happiness, surprisingly spicy, dry, light, textured, tanniny, “house wine”, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Shiraz, 50% Cab Sauv (**)

•        Eenzaamheid Pinotage 2010: Red berries, red Wine Gums, tanniny, dry, strong alcoholy feel, tastes savoury, American oak, 20 months, coconut aftertaste, prunes, good aging potential, 10% new oak, 11% Shiraz
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•       Eenzaamheid Shiraz/Mourvedre 2010: Mocha, jam on toast, fairly sharp & textured, fruity, fruity nose, liquorice, body, unfiltered, 11% Mourvedre, will age well

Lessons from the Lees:

•        Non-Vintage (NV) = blend of years
•        Cuvee = non vintage/blend
•       Min 85% to be classified a single cultivar wine
•        Use less than 1% of 380 hectares under vine
•        Supplies Fairview, Perdeberg, Spier
•       First vintage of wines in 7 years