David White

9.4

Very good South African Pinot from Walker Bay Area. Produced by rising star winemakers Carolyn and JC Martin.
Developing nicely with integrated alcohol and tannins.and excellent fruit forward elegant Pinot.
According to latest releases these traditional Pinots are being replaced by new wine making styles and I hope they haven’t thrown the baby out with the bath water!
— 7 months ago

Daniel Tredoux

9.0

Good choice — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 7 years ago

Antonis Zet.

9.0

89/100pts, 4⭐. 2014 blend of 50% CS, 40% Shiraz, 10% Malbec in 12 month oaking. Cape vineyards, South Africa.

Dark purplish.
Arresting espresso aromas in cinnamon cloud.
Lively acidity tingling an all exciting palate of ham & sour forest berries notes, with fresh spicy tannins integated in med+ body.
Playful bitter liquorice flavor on long finish.

💬Fascinating red blend ticking all good New World boxes. 2014 drinks till 2025 nicely."Escapades" is a joint venture of 3 Greek winemakers in the Western Cape. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

@Delectable Wine this is the 2015 Ernie Els Cape Winemakers Guild.

Our first time every at the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction and we will make sure to come back! (Tasting was on 9/28/18).

Sixteenth wine at the Friday Auction Tasting for the Cape Winemakers Guild and the fifth red wine. This is made up of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz and 10% Cinsault by Louis Strydom from the Stellenbosch region. Aged for a total of eighteen months prior to blending and bottling. Only 200 cases produced with 60 being auctioned in 2018 and 60 auctioned in 2017.

Medium to deep ruby red in appearance. Coated with dark spices and berries on the nose with a touch of gravel at the back end. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. A bit savory on the front of the palate with herbs, spices and some dried cherries. Dry and long finish. Still a very young wine that needs some age to develop. Drink till 2032.

$$ - Tasted at the Cape Winemakers Auction. Average bid at auction was R3,957.00 ($46.54 a bottle) a case. Highest bid was R5,800.00 ($68.22 a bottle) and lowest bid was R3,400.00 ($39.99 a bottle). (91+)

#ernieels #cabernetsauvignon #shiraz #stellenbosch #southafrica #cwgauction #cwg #redwine
— 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Jeffrey Vlasic

9.9

Stunning - beautiful leather notes - at its prime - a South African gem. — 9 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

80/10/10 SGM blend, Columbia Valley. Inky purple red, high pigment extraction. Plum and cherry aromas, more cherry and raspberry flavor. Medium body, medium seed tannins on finish. Great value but domestic vin de table at heart, which fully met my expectations. Tasty enough, citizens! Plum flavor and moderate skin astringency emerge after 45 minutes. Still on the tart side after two hours; match with food. — 2 years ago

Paula Strebig

9.0

Deep red current color, medium body, dry wine. Faint strawberries & red fruit on the nose. Strawberry spritzer w/ a hint on acid on the fore palate, long velvety, smooth mouth drying finish with cherry jam. No Smokiness in this bottle. (Meditrina Cafe, Valparaiso IN. Falafel appetizer, Beef shawarma- Tim & Paprika Chicken in tomato cream sauce- Paula.) wonderful meal. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

@Delectable Wine this is the 2013 Silverthorn Wines Cape Winemakers Guild Big Dog IV Méthode Cap Classique.

Our first time every at the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction and we will make sure to come back! (Tasting was on 9/28/18).

Second wine at the Friday Auction Tasting for the Cape Winemakers Guild and last sparkling wine. This is a sparkling wine (Methode Cap Classique) made by John Loubser from the Western Cape. Made up of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay as well as aged on the lees for 51 months before 9 more months in bottle and prior to disgorgement. Only 73 cases produced and only 42 being auctioned in 2018.

Light greenish yellow in appearance with tiny bubbles. Mute on the nose with a bit of lemon, light sweet spices, kiwi and limestone. Moderate acidity (7/10) and rich palate. Creamy mouthfeel with layers of spices, green apples, citrus fruits, white flowers and mouth watering minerality. Long and lingering finish.

$$ - Tasted at the Cape Winemakers Auction. Average bid at auction was R4,410.00 ($51.94 a bottle) a case. Highest bid was R6,200.00 ($73.02 a bottle) and lowest bid was R3,000.00 ($35.33 a bottle).

#silverthornwines #mcc #methodecapclassique #southafrica #cwgauction #sparkling
— 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Dennis Blaauw

9.2

Great wine for the price! — 9 years ago

Rob Mayes

9.1

Marina notes on the nose. Briny salt air on palate. Black pepper. Tart cherry. Blackberry. — 9 years ago

Taavi Davies

9.0

Lovely blackcurrant nose, lots of dark fruit on the palate, fine tannins — 4 years ago

Living Jazz Archive

9.7

From NYE in Cape Town going in 2020. Truly fantastic Chenin Blanc — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 7 years ago

Yury Glazkov

9.2

Striking fresh ripe black currant at the start, with dryer tobacco notes from the glass, cranberry from the close up and an amazing evolution — 8 years ago

Jill Schuchardt

9.5

Ripe fruit, low tannins — 8 years ago

Sean Ballington

9.6

I tagged the wrong wine - it should be the Kanonkop Black Label — 9 years ago

Peter Zandbergen

9.3

Red syrah based — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

I know a few of you know about the Cape Winemakers Guild. If not I highly recommend trying to hunt them down or make it out to SA for it.



Deep garnet ruby red. A bit stinky on the nose with savory, meaty, and gamey notes. A touch smoky too with a touch of sweet spices and red berries undertone. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Dark fruit on the attack with solid stoney notes. Some sweet spices too and more red fruits coming through. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2027. — 9 years ago

with Sean and India