Peter Coulthard

9.1

TSWC. Very enjoyable drinking which also didn’t mind being slightly warm — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

Cheers to old-vine Chenin Blanc from South Africa! 🇿🇦 In South Africa, Chenin Blanc also goes by the name “Steen.”

It’s such a versatile grape and wine, capable of producing beautiful sweet, dry, still, and sparkling wines.

This wine is still and dry. We’ve paired it with sushi and it’s a delightful duet.

The grapes for this wine were grown organically in the Citrusdal Mountain district, north of Cape Town, west of the Olifants River, on the Western Cape. The bush vines were originally planted in 1957 (old!!), contributing to an intensity and a concentration of primary aromas and flavors in the grapes.

Indeed, the nose and palate offer medium(+) aromas and flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple, white peach, vegetal, boxwood, white blossom, crushed stone, and aged cheese rind notes. Lively acidity gives it lift and balances the high alcohol and intensity of fruit.

This wine was produced by Ginny Povall, American-born proprietor and self-taught winemaker of Botanica Wines. I love the botanical images on her labels, each an homage to the flower farm on which she began her wine production journey in South Africa.   

Botanica Wines, Chenin Blanc (Mary Delany Collection), 2019, ABV 14%. — 2 years ago

with Deked1

Bob McDonald

9.7

Wine No. 8 in the field of 8 Cabernets from the 2009 vintage tasted blind and it proved to be the consensus Winner by a narrow margin over the Les Forts. I loved this and the Palmer 8 years ago at the Cape Mentelle tasting and they remain stunning wines. A wonderful perfume of red flowers, plums, and earth. Medium to Full Bodied with great length. Two of the tasters, long time wine professional, Ken Gargett and Dr Mark Welsh ( head of the Chevaliers in Australia) each gave this wine 98 points. This was Margaret River at its best. Bravo Woodlands and the Watson Family!! — 4 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.1

Nice elegant Margaret River Cab. — 9 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

1/2023. Full bodied and big flavor. Nice on the palate. — 2 years ago

Ken Z

8.9

Drank 12/21/21

Black currant, baking spice, and hint of green pepper on the nose. Black currant, black cherry, and a bit of peppercorn are supported by medium plus tannins. Nice fruit on the medium finish.

3/22/7/4/3 +50 = 29 — 3 years ago

Jordan Yu

9.4

Big, Long and Creamy — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

First found this wine probably 11 years ago at the Annual Cape Mentelle Cabernet tasting where Cape Mentelle pits their wine against leading Cabernets from around the world including Bordeaux, Napa, NZ, and other Australians. On this occasion the 2008 vintage. This Houghtons stood out on the day. Dense in colour Barb said pitch black. Dusty cassis notes - oak is there but it doesn’t dominate - balanced and delicious. — a year ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

58% Shiraz with rest of the blend icluding Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo and Graciano. Light salmon pink color. Aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries, raspberries, watermelon and rose petals. Additional Touch of lemon zest, minerals and saline on the pallet. Very fruit forward on the finish. Noticeable acidity. Bright and refreshing. — 2 years ago

Marcus Weber

9.0

Skin macerated wine (8 days) from Swartland, West Cape. Floral and spicy, macis! And bit sandy character and well balanced tannins. 
Dazu: Tajine: Lamm - Mandeln - getrocknete Pflaumen / gerösteter Blumenkohl - Salzzitrone - sehr junge Minze / Karotte - Kreuzkümmel - Orangenblüte / couscous
& nick cave — 4 years ago