Douglas, Northern Cape
Ridgeback
SGMV Red Rhone Blend 2013
2013 vintage. Paarl. A Rhône blend dominated by Shiraz (81%) with Grenache (9%), Mourvèdre (8%) and Viognier (2%). Spices, black fruits and leather. Surprisingly high acidity gives this a Northern Rhône feel. Improves with air. Decant or take your time. — 4 years ago
Beeslaar
Stellenbosch Pinotage 2016
We have been working on our South Africa and Egypt trip for months. Diligently doing research and talking about it daily.
One of our stops will be a week on the Western Cape or as many define it, Stellenbosch. It has always been on my wine region bucket list for its wines and beauty. One of my goals was to find some excellent producers of Pinotage.
This Beeslaar is the private label of the Winemaker at Kanonkop, Abrie Beeslaar. Abrie makes a black label Kanonkop that sells retail at $200. That’s right, $200! It must be deliriously good if they can get $200 for it.
I found this 2016 Beeslaar at K&L for just under $37. It’s the 1st Pinotage that has my eyes wide open as to what can’t be done with this difficult varietal in the right hands. If his private label is this good, I hope to visit Kanonkop and taste their black label.
The nose reveals; dark chocolate raisins, dark eastern spices, plum and black cherry, blueberries, baked strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black raisin currants, smokiness and grilled meats, black pepper and a touch of white, some green vegetal notes, cinnamon, dark chocolate mocha bar, dark fruit steeped tea, gravely schist, touch of coffee grounds, dark fruit roll-ups, leather, tobacco with ash with fresh, dark red & blue florals.
The body is full, thick and rich. There is a dark, tarry, dusty tannin structure. This will benefit from 3-5 years plus in bottle but, it is crazy good. Sound, firm; structure, big tension, long length and very good balance. Dark chocolate raisins, smokiness and grilled meats, dark eastern spices that brings pronounced heat to the palate, black plum, plum and black cherry, blueberries, baked strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, black raisin currants, dark berry bubblegum, black pepper and a touch of white, tree bark with a touch of sap, some green vegetal notes, cinnamon, dark chocolate mocha bar, dark fruit steeped tea, gravely schist, dry stones, touch of coffee grounds, dark fruit roll-ups, new un-smoothed leather, tobacco with ash with fresh, dark red & blue florals. The acidity is round and splendid. The elegant, rich finish runs ripe fruits to dry tannins with dusty earth and shows an even tug of war with its fruits and earthiness.
It drinks like a combination of; Grand Cru Gamay, Shiraz and Northern Rhône.
I will be getting more of this and forgetting about it for 5 more years. Can’t wait for that moment and noting the changes.
This wine raises my excitement level for our trip with each sip.
Pinotage is a grape variety made from a cross of Pinot Noir & Cinsaut that was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University...making it one of the youngest grape varietals.
Photos of; a shot of just how beautiful Cape vineyards can be, Winemaker-Abrie Beeslaar, Pinotage fruit near harvest and field-hands harvesting their very tall vines. Beeslaar has no Cellar Door currently. — 6 years ago
Douglas Green
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Lively on a summers day — 6 months ago
Reyneke
Organic Syrah 2018
Savoury, dark & meaty. Very old world style.
Nice presence on the palate, medium bodied, with a touch of creaminess and good acidity. Black olives, roast, meaty character. Yet this is till fresh, balanced, so drinkable.
What a lovely wine.
Blind this is a northern Rhône. And a really good one, too. — 3 years ago
Cape Mentelle
Margaret River Shiraz 2010
Deep crimson in colour. Noticeable oak and spice on nose. Medium to full bodied. Red and black fruits on palate- plum and blueberry notes sadly dominated by the Oak. As mentioned in other posts I believe Margaret River is much better suited to Cabernet and blends rather than Shiraz - no better exemplified than the 2 offerings from this well performed winery - Cape Mentelle. Tasted again 19 weeks later. Similar sentiments as above but this time more Northern Rhone in style with black pepper, plum and dried meats. Pretty good actually. Will drink remaining 2 bottles over the next 3 to 4 years. Score 2nd time is 93 points. — 4 years ago
Lowerland
Tolbos Tannat 2020
This is an excellent balanced wine. Rivals Uruguayan Tannats without problem. Perfect as a gift. — 2 years ago
Cape Mentelle
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Similar to the note I made a year ago in August 2020. Aromas of dried herbs, bay leaf, tomato bush with a woody note (not Oak) which we identified as Walnut similar to the previous note. This Cabernet is slightly different to the northern Margaret River (Wilyabrup) Cabernets like Woodlands and Moss Wood. On the Medium plus bodied palate red and black fruits with currants and mulberries. This was from a good vintage and is currently in a great place. Enjoy a bottle if you have any. POSTSCRIPT: A note by James Halliday from the Cape Mentelle International Cabernet Tasting in 2010 , for the 2007 vintage - “the trio of Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood and Woodlands pushed Leoville Las Cases and Chateau Margaux out of contention. “ Admittedly 2007 was not a great year in Bordeaux. — 3 years ago
Vergelegen
Reserve Shiraz 2014
A really rounded, well made Shiraz in (what I think) is a northern Rhône style. Earthy aroma with plenty of dark fruit. It’s dry, savoury and acidic in the mouth, with just the right amount of tannin. Certainly not brawny - if anything a little lean. The finish is long, with plenty of mocha notes. — 6 years ago
Jan A
On day two this rounded/fleshed out considerably and the dominant syrah grape of the blend (39%) came forward. — 3 months ago