Posted on by

Laibach Merlot

A Masterclass in Merlot! Seduce your senses with the complex aroma of mocha, violet and plums. Silky ripe tannins with a bite of spice, this sensational award winning wine will truly satisfy your tastebuds.

Recently voted the best Merlot in South Africa.

Produced by the Laibach Vineyards estate which was totally re-planted in the early 90`s and is now stuffed full of modern winemaking equipment. Laibach still uses traditional barrel ageing, and has a growing reputation as a producer right on top of its game. Tailoring its wines for the sophisticated and discerning palate this estate is growing in reputation year-on-year.

Serving suggestions

Spicy Indian Tandoori cooking, samosas, duck and pheasant.

Posted on by

Drakenskloof Pinotage 2007

For those of you yet to be seduced by rich, serious, spice infused Pinotage, this fine release from the award-winning Spier estate is a fine introduction to South Africa’s star grape.

It hails from rugged vineyards in the Western Cape, where scorching days give way to cool nights – and as any winemaker will tell you, this huge contrast of climate produces strikingly intense fruit. In the hands of Frans Smit, it delivers a red of rare power.

”Deep dark ruby in colour with spicy cherry and plum aromas and a generous, almost chewy mouthful of succulent black fruit and smooth oaky richness. A blockbuster BBQ red!”

Colour – Dark plum hue.
Aroma – Intense black cherry, plum and raspberry aromas with a hint of banana.
Taste – Rich, juicy and mouthfilling damson flavours with a complex layer of spice and herbs.

Serving suggestions
The perfect balance between fruit and spice makes this red delicious with roast beef, game, spicy bean stew, beetroot risotto, or a rich, aubergine bake.

Posted on by

Lyngrove Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2007

Chenin Blanc is a speciality of the Loire region. It produces crisp apple and lemon fruit, with extraordinary honeyed complexity in the very top wines which can be aged for years. The variety is extremely versatile, making every style of white – bone-dry to nectar-sweet, still to fully sparkling. This is thanks to its high acidity which it has in bucketloads or, as critic Jim Ainsworth wrote ”like Imelda Marcus has shoes”.

The grape has been important in the Cape for a few decades too; in the days before apartheid (after which winemaking changed dramatically) it was used largely for distillation into brandy. Since that turning point in 1994, it has shown itself worthy of much more. This delightful, crisp, fruity white comes from Lyngrove a magnificent 80-hectare estate in South Africa’s most prestigious wine region, Stellenbosch.

The portion of Chardonnay was taken from the cellar’s own vineyards, where cool coastal breezes produce an elegant style with good freshness. The larger portion of Chenin Blanc was grown in the temperate Breede River Valley in Worcester. The wine is from an excellent vintage that the official Cape wine body, WOSA, wrote up as: ”Prospects are very high for the 2007 vintage … in particular Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon will be exceptional”.

Colour – Light greenish gold.
Aroma – Fresh, lively aromas of apple, lemon and tropical guava.
Taste – Lots of ripe tropical fruit – guava again, kiwi and ,,,,,,melon – cut through by crisp green apple and lemon.

Serving suggestions
With lots of crisp apple and guava notes, this wine makes a tasty drop on its own. Serve too with chicken dishes, cold meats, pasta and tuna bake or a creamy vichyssoise. Drink by end 2009.

Posted on by

White River Chenin Blanc 2007

Winner of an International Wine Challenge medal, this gloriously fresh Chenin Blanc sums up everything that’s so attractive about South Africa’s best-loved white. Chenin Blanc was brought to the Cape from the Loire by Huguenots fleeing France in the 17th century. It flourished and before long established itself as the country’s predominant variety.

The grape’s natural acidity ensures the wines retain a lively freshness even in South Africa’s relatively warm climate. White River is from the Bergsig Estate in Worcester, just across the Toitskloof mountains from Paarl and Stellenbosch. It’s beautiful countryside dominated by a mountainous backdrop and the sweeping Breede river. For the last 150 years the estate has been owned by the Lategan family.

A few years ago Pop Lategan handed over to his son De Wet who quickly made his mark becoming South Africa’s Young Winemaker of the Year. He’s even managed to secure a listing of some of his best wines in the First Class cabin of South African Airlines. This sorbet-fresh Chenin Blanc is mouthwateringly delicious, thanks in part to night-harvesting. Picking when grapes are at their coolest helps preserve their natural acidity. Vinification at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks ensures transfer of that freshness to the wine in bottle.

Colour – Pale straw with youthful greenish glints.
Aroma – Leafy, gooseberry and lemon hints.
Taste – Very fresh and lively grassy, lemony and gooseberry character. Elegant with nice intensity.

Serving suggestions
Serve chilled with aromatic Thai stir-fries, crab and chilli pasta, a fennel and orange salad or a lightly creamy carrot and coriander soup

Posted on by

Winery Heights Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005

Presenting a superb discovery from a historic and spectacular producer on Stellenbosch mountain. Up here you can see all the way to Cape Town harbour … and, with this great red, you can enjoy richness and maturity seldom available at this low price.

This comes from the Delaire Estate where they can trace their roots back to 1688 when French Huguenots arrived in South Africa and trekked over Stellenbosch Mountain to establish the town of Franschhoek (‘Corner of France’). The estate is way up on the crest of Helshoogte Pass, where settlers would look out for trade ships arriving in Cape Town.

Delaire is given a 4-star rating by Platter’s South African Wine Guide and upholds its French heritage in this Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Cabernet Franc (a blend synonymous with good claret). Like Bordeaux’s finest, this has been lavished more than a year in French oak barrels, adding a vanilla richness to its ripe cassis and mulberry flavours. Mature savoury notes (this ’05 is just hitting its peak), supple tannins and velvety texture.

Colour – Deep ruby.
Aroma – Ripe plum, red fruits with a hint of spice.
Taste – Ripe cassis and mulberry flavours mingling with spicy vanilla notes.Smooth, close-knit tannins.

Serving suggestions
This rich red is in its element with braised lamb, oxtail, spicy sausages with mustard mash, slow-cooked lamb shanks, or a vegetarian shepherd’s pie.