As a fledgling wineling, there are a number of farms that One hears wonderful things of. Farms that just must be visited. Waterkloof ranks amongst those.
WHITE:
- Waterkloof Sauvignon Blanc (2014): Cream crackers & green gummy sweets, smooth & soft, light, pith
- Waterkloof Chenin Blanc (2012): 10 months on new French oak. Green jam, rye honey, soft, caramelized honeycomb, white peaches, tinkling sweetness.
- Waterkloof Viognier (2012): 2 months in barrel. Rye, jasmine, brown bread toast, soft & light mousse, lurking lanolin
- Circle of Life White (2012): Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon. Slight curry spice, marzipan, light, slight lime-iness.
RED:
- Waterkloof Cinsault (2013): Red & black Wine Gums, Mary Poppins strawberry medicine, powder puffs, creamy, slight tannin, deep spice.
- Waterkloof Cabernet Franc (2012): 20 months in new French oak. Raspberry jam & crème brulee sugar, wispy richness.
Being a fan of The White Wine as a general rule, the opportunity to participate in a white wine "taste off" at the highly esteemed Wine Cellar was very much right up my alley! Listed in order of tasting are the wines which were sipped upon tentatively, analysed, guessed about, compared and ranked. Alongside my scores out of 10 are my rankings out of 12, next to those are the official rankings for the tasting groups in both JHB & CT.
- Steenberg Magna Carta (2012): R 550, 60% Sauvignon Blanc & 40% Semillon. Asparagus, zesty, pineapple, green Wine Gums, lemon on asparagus, milky sourness, shary (4/10) (11/12) (11/12)
- Vergelegen GVB (2012): Grown, vinified, bottled. R 355, 56% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon. Savoury, salted cheese & bacon quiche, lurking baked green-ness, bacon butter, soft but tangy, less aggressive, could stand to age. (5/10) (10/12)(10/12)
- Hamilton Russel Chardonnay (2014): R 305. Tangy old dishwater, inside of a diving kit, rubbery,tangy, lime juice, weird sweetness under the acidity. (4/10) (12/12) (6/12)
- Crystallum Clay Shales (2013): All natural ferment, R 350, Chardonnay - sold out. Dusty mothballs, shy, soft baked pithiness with a touch of honey. (6/10) (7/12) (2/12)
- Sadie Family Palladius (2012): R 515, Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Verdelho, Roussanne, Semillon Gris, Semillon Blanc and Palomino. Gummy greenness, lemon drops, velvet perfume, strong pith, peach pips in honey, baked vanilla pudding. (6.5/10) (8/12) (5/12)
- Ken Forrester FMC (2012): Forrester Maynard Chenin. R 395. Pond water, mud under willows, dustiness, unexpectedly punchy, pretty polite girl with a sharp tongue, honeysuckle sweetness with a slight spice. (7/10) (5/12) (1/12)
- Uva Mira Chardonnay (2012): R 630. Coconut, orange blossom granola, spot of cinnamon, lemon tart, linear, sharp freshness (*) (8/10) (6/12) (4/12)
- Fynbos Capensis (2013): Anthony Beck & Barbera Back, Jackson Family Wine, 100% oak on new vintage, Chardonnay, unreleased at time of tasting, R 950. Bacon Kips, bacon croissants, crispy pastry, smokey softness with underlying freshness, spot of pith. (7/10) (4/12) (9/12)
- Alheit Magnetic North Mountain Makstok (2013): R 450 - R 850, Chenin Blanc. Nutmes, cinnamon & honey oats, sago pudding, cosy & comforting, granny hugs (**) (9/10) (2/12) (12/12)
- Mullineux Quartz (2013): R435, Chenin Blanc. Shy, crisp asparagus & broccoli, sugared flowers, fresh but pithy, depth (**) (8/10) (9/12) (7/12)
- Jordan 9 Yards Chardonnay (2013): R 330. Straw & tinned peas, roundness, vaseliney roundness, baked peaches, creamy but fresh & rich. (**) (9/10) (1/12) (3/12)
- Longridge Ou Steen (2013): R 315, Chenin Blanc. Oily Riesling, Lismore-esque Viognier, sweet with underlying spice, masala. (8.5/10) (3/12) (8/12)
After a marvellous morning of getting us spectacularly lost amongst the hills of Stellenbosch as only I seem able to do, we made our way up the correct hill to Uva Mira, and down again to Guardian Peak for a cosy, marshmallowy tasting overlooking the vineyards.
WHITE:
- Donkiesbaai Steen (2013): Chenin Blanc, 4 - 5 month in old French oak. Apricot pips, orange rind, soft, salted break, pretzel, cosy, light honey
RED:
- Donkiesbaai Pinot Noir (2013): 12 months French oak. Roasted marshmallow, slight strawberry, strawberry sherbet, slight vinergariness, Velcro tannins.
- Guardian Peak Summit (2012): Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, 18 months in French & American oak. Salted caramel strawberries, charred pink marshmallows, white pepper, warming, oxtail Cup-of-Soup, sharp game meat wrapped in pastry.
- Guardian Peak Cirrus Syrah (2011): 3% Viognier (unoaked), French & American oak for 18 months. Petunias, lurking spice, gentle powder puffs, buttery chocolate mousse with nutmeg & cayenne pepper.
- Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon (2011): 18 months in French oak, 40% first fill. Strong alcohol on the nose, cumin, green peppercorns, slap in the mouth, soft buttery mashed potato finish, sharp cherries.
To be honest, South Hill was not a farm I was familiar with prior to my first visit to the tasting room which leads into a beautiful combination of art gallery & restaurant. I was, however, treated to a tasting with the winemaker himself.
WHITE:
- South Hill Sauvignon Blanc (2014): Fresh iced lemon & lime, unripe pears, green Sparkles, light, gentle, bright green asparagus.
- Kevin King Bassey (2014): 63% Semillon oaked in old 300l barrels for 5 - 6 months, 37% Sauvignon Blanc, tank fermented. Toasted seeds & grass, waxy, pondy green-ness, salty, grapefruit, lemony, tasted 6 weeks from bottling
ROSE:
- South Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Rose (2013): Jannie verjaar koeldrank, raspberry Energade concentrate, tart cherries, crumbled feta, very pink.
RED:
- Kevin King Bazza (2013): 100% Pinot Noir. Drunken grapes, strawberries, prunes, soft sherbet, cherry powder, white pepper
- Kevin King Mikah (2013): 50% Syrah, 25% Barbera, 25% Mourvedre. Green peppercorns, braaied lamb chops, marinated oven-roasted tomatoes, soft with tannins at the end, warming, meaty, fennel seeds.
- South Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (2011): Fresh green peppercorns, rich velvet, slight tannins, marshmallowy mouthfeel.
NOTES:
- 80% of crop sold off
- Bassey - Kevin King's wife's nickname
- Bazza - Kevin's dad's nickname
- Micah - Kevin's grandson's name
Avondale is a farm known for it's strong biodynamic princples & practices - while many believe it's all a bit airy-fairy, I believe it makes some damn good wine!
MCC:
- Armilla 2009: 100% Chardonnay, 10% wooded, 24 months on the lees for 1st ferment, 3 years in bottle. Rye toast, lightly salty, strong Salticrax, salted rye crust.(*)
WHITE:
- Anima Chenin Blanc (2012): Latin for soul, 500l French barrels, mostly older. Honeyed oranges, round nose, soft, subtle, orange pith. (**)
- Cyclus (2011): Latin for cycle, 25% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, 25% Roussanne, 25% Chenin / Semillon. Oily, lurking Cayenne pepper, honeyed melon sweetness, round, haddock-like sweetness, lime pith
ROSE:
- Camissa (2012): Khoisan name for Table Mountain meaning "place of sweet water", refers to the spring water used on the vines, Blanc de Noir-style, 60% Muscat, 40% Mourvedre. Honey melon, pink flowers, pretty little girls in floaty dresses, slightly spicy, salty palate, lingering finish.
RED:
- Samsara (2007): Tibetan for continuous flow of rebirth & reincarnation, 100% Syrah. Musky, smokers' room, leather & cigar, pink & white pepper, soft & flowy with a pepper bite at the end.
- La Luna (2007): 7 years bottle aged, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Syrah. Crushed velvet, balsamic tannins, blackness, inky, soft, subtle, liquid liquorice, musty & earthy.
NOTES:
- Only 7 wines produced on the farm, the last of which has just been released exclusively
- Armilla: ties back to biodynamics, if the moon can influence the ocean, it should be able to influence anything water-based (people, plants, etc.)
- 1 of the soil preparations involved stirring compost into water for an hour by hand - 1 minute in one direction (in tune with nature), 1 minute the other way (to create chaos)
- "So you spend an hour stirring shit? I know a few very good shit-stirrers I could send your way!"
- Logo: Armilla sphere - first drawing of the Earth as a part of the universe
- Best to swirl wine clockwise
- Tasting took place on a root day according to the lunar calendar phases (root, leaf, fruit or flower) - the phase of the moon impacts the flavour / aroma of wine, accentuating different elements with each phase.
- "If you can castrate a hamster, a duck can lay eggs on the run"
When one begins to learn of The Good Wine, one learns quickly that age is a rather sought-after characteristic in wines as a general rule. Herewith, my experience of some of the oddities of The Older Wine.
WHITE:
- Tokara Sauvignon Blanc (2005): Peach juice & litchi, baby oranges & limes.
- La Motte Blanc Fume (1997): Caramelized honey brandy, vinegar pudding, sharp vinegar sypup.
- Opstal Barrel Sample Semillon (2013): Unracked, unfiltered, unfined. Cloudy apple & pear juice, apple pips trodden in cement dust, building site & bricks.*
- Vondeling Rose (2013): Classic Bordeaux blend. Salty petunias, egg sandwiches, tinny, soft.
RED:
- Cathy Marshall Zinfandel (2005): Marzipan raspberries, perfumey powder with sour black plums, Marmite, rotting strawberries.
- Oak Valley Bordeaux Blend (2004): Maple syrup, perfumed berry jam, coffee berry jam, balsamic rum, peppery, full.
- Dornier Malbec (2012): Floral braai smoke, creamed blueberries, soft & creamy with dust, runny cream with dust.*
- Inglewood Cabernet Sauvignon (2006): Black cherry cream, nutmeg, inky & chalky, rich
*These do not fall within the category of The Old Wines, I do not live in the future
Tanagra Grappa
Now, while I am a firm fan of most beverages created from that wonderful fruit that is the Grape, I shall admit I found Grappa a mild bit more difficult to embrace. Fortunately, this was preceded by an introductory wine.
- Cabernet Franc Blanc de Noir (2014): Tank fermented. Cream cheese strawberries, soft & full, cozy, pink salt.
- Tanagra Tanagrappa (2012): Merlot, Shiraz & Cab Sauv. Pepperminty, berry coulis, soft, sharp & fiery at end.
- Tanagra Marc de Chard (2012): 100% Chardonnay made with Springfield grapes. Curried honey, honeyed carrots, felty.
- Tanagra Marc de Chard Barrique (2012): 2 years in 2nd fill brandy cask (100l). Diesel fuel, honeyed sandalwood & orange blossom, soft yet spicy, nutmeg.
- Tanagra Marc de Cabernet Sauvignon (2013): Drunken chocolates, blackberries in dark chocolate, slightly savoury.
- Tanagra Cabernet Sauvignon Eau de Vie de Lie (2013): "Water of wine from yeast", made from the lees at Springfield. Reduced caramel, drunken raisins, creamier, silky, lurking sweetness @ end.
- Tanagra Sauvignon Blanc Eau de Vie de Lie (2014): Yellow & green gummy sweets, kumquat, dusty, powdery moss, lime green.
- Tanagra Felicity Eau de Vie de Vin (2005): Distilled from wine, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, distilled 500 bottles of wine. Peach chews, subtle but burns on the way down.
- Tanagra Lemon Eau de Vie (2012): Mixed with 96% alcohol. Lemon Super C's, lemon skin & pips.
Notes of a Novice:
- "We like to do things differently"
- Grappa - Italian by origin - may not be called Grappa, hence using the French name, "marc"
- Made from husks of wine
- Minimum 43% alcohol, max 85%.
- Adhere to brandy production laws
- Post-2nd distillation - 85% - 92% alcohol. Diluted with water over 3 - 6 months
- Serve @ room temp. (18 - 20 C)
- Average serving size: 25ml
