Sadie Family Wine //Soldaat // 2016

Grenache // wo Piekenierskloof

Nose / Thick with cranberries, raspberries and hedgerow. You can definitely sense its highly strung peppery edge.

Palate / crisp and clean. Wild strawberries and tangy acidity but has the Sadie trademark softness, poise and length. Lovely soft grip.

From ungrafted vines on granite soils in the Piekenierskloof. I am always so excited by the old vine series wines. They are really crafted beautifully and so elegant.

I know Eben is really forward about how his wines should be aged, and in  prefect world which flows with milk and Sadie Family wines I would have a whole bunch of these in the cellar but alas budget does not permit and I couldn’t resist opening. It was absolutely gorgeous now and can only get better if you can hold onto it.

Mother Rock // Syrah // 2015

wo swartland // 12.5%

Opened this Stompie Meyer bottle on New Years eve and loved it so much. It’s light but just super enjoyable, incredibly lean and clean. Freshly smashed cherry juice with tangy blackberry and strawberry. Just a hint of fynbos/ stalkyness which is really pleasing. If I’m not mistaken just a hint of gravel in the back. Satisfying finish that is long and dry, continuing the juicy theme. Again this wine appreciated being served lightly chilled and has got miles ahead of it.

Not super complicated at this point but immensely pleasing and classy. This is the kind of wine if I had bags of money I would happily drink every night. 

INTELLEGO // kedungu

2016 // wo swartland // syrah 45 cinsault 40 mouverdre 5 // 11%

Nose / heady, makes me think of rhubarb and custard sweets. Its a little bit funky and sharp with herbs and fresh fruit colliding in a smash of lemony fresh goodness. 

Palate / a little bit spritely at first but once it has settled out it is juicy and clean. Raspberries and blueberries and again that fantastic grippy lemon finish. 

Such a pleasing drink, should be chilled down and given some air if you want to see it is in its best light. I would also love to stash a few and see where it goes. Jurgen Gouws is without doubt one of my favourite winemakers. His Syrah has to be one of my most enjoyed wines and the kedungu backs up nicely. This for me sums up summer in the cape. #wellplayed 

ASPOESTERTJIE // 2015

colombard // swartland // 12.5%

Aspoestertjie, meaning Cinderella in Afrikaans is given namesake for this incredible Colombard from a vineyard in Riebeeksriver. Made by Thinus Kruger of Fram.

Absolutely delicious creamy nose with flint, lime pana cotta, pineapple, naatjie, cashew nuttiness and gentle sweet herbiness.

Such lovely balance to this complex white. Its bang on the money with lovely freshness and richness, mineral and juicy all playing off on each other in a gorgeous dance that really would give Cinderella a run for her money. 

Its only 12.5% but still manages to be zingy and creamy at the same time. It reminds me of some of the best Chenin’s I have had from the Cape. Again this is a golden nugget from the Publik sale and just left me feeling like I wish I had more... what a beauty. #bloominglovely

Blackwater Wine // Noir // 2012

Syrah 97% Carignan Grenache // WO Swartland // 13.4% 

This bottle was such a massive steal, picked up at the Publik wine sale and it just ooozes quality. 

Seductive nose of shrubs and smokey purple fruit and sweet smashed strawberries. Lovely lovely purity to the lifted palette. It has purple and red fruit mingled through with crushed gravel, fynbos and lavender. Lovely Persistent acidity that I find really pleasing.

Absolutely cracking. With bags of life left in, it just feels like it’s starting to hit its stride.

Am really looking forward to cracking in to the other Blackwater bottles I picked up over Christmas. #bloominglovely

Franco Laurens // Howard John //2014

Carignan //14% // WO Paarl

The new version of this wine (which is a blend instead of single varietal) has to be one of my favourite wines I have tried this year. I saw this older vintage at the Publik wine sale recently so thought to give it a whirl.  It’s straight Carignan from Paarl. Wild ferment, no acid, enzymes or fining. 

Slightly woody nose that is all brambles and thorns just a little savoury/meaty hint mixed into the cherry and cranberries. Nice and compact still on the palette, its juicy framed palette with pleasing green component, combining plums, blackberry, tobacco and a savoury almost bitter herb finish. Sour cherries bring it home nicely. 

This is certainly more rustic where as the Cinsault blend (16 vintage) was really polished and accomplished. Still very satisfying though! #wellplayed

Adi Badenhorst // Brakkuil Barbarossa // 2015

ST HELENA SWARTLAND // 13.5%

This is an old vine plot in the ward of St Helena of the Swartland. Originally believed to have been Cinsault but after investigation it is now believed to be the Italian grape Barbarossa. Most unusual for South Africa. 

A little bit shy. Dark fruited and slightly ripe up front. Think sweet blackberries with a bit of stalkyness hiding in the background, earthy tones adding to its mysteriousness.

An appealing ripe palette that is broad with  dark skinned plums and a guava like fruity peppery grip. The is also some slight raisin flavours and tabacco note that I would make me think it is slightly more oxidative but not sure that is the case just perhaps the unusual grape. 

This got a bit better once it was chilled down a bit due to its apparent sweet fruit (its only 13.5%) but this seemed to be less prominant after some air gaining a satisfying tangy grip. It isn't offensively sweet just noticeably. It does have a drying finish that helps to reign it in. 

Bags of interest and very enjoyable in practice and theory. I guess you can get equally as enjoyable wines for less but really good to see these plots being discovered and cared for. Its always fun to try something unusual #wellplayed

Metzer Family // Chenin Blanc //2016

Stellenbosch // 13%

This is old vine, single site Chenin (planted in 1964). Hand picked at two stages to give structure and balance. Natural ferment and 10 % new oak.

The vineyard is planted on granite and quatrz. Lovely luminous golden colour. The nose is really clean and has good complexity. There is stone fruit at the front with a hint of pineapple, elderflower and gunsmoke backing it up. There is richness but it is understated.

The palette is nicely balanced and fresh, some pear and guava fruit adding texture and richness to the creamy lees character but its really all about the minerality. Nice grip with white pepper laced into the juicy finish.

This Chenin is really pleasing, walking the line between focus and texture nicely. Its a classy white that is asking to be taken seriously. And you should! It joins the ranks of quality single site Chenin emerging. Good with food now and will age nicely ! Once it had been open for a while the crunchy pepperyness mellowed out to golden creamy softness!! Such a treat.

J H Meyer // Force Majeure 2016 //

Syrah, Pinotage, Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvedre & Carignan // WO Swartland // 11%

I had this red blend by J H Meyer nearly a year ago and it was great at the time, I really enjoyed it (it was my first exposure to his wines at the time) but I have to say it is absolutely singing now with a little more time in the bottle. It has the most alluring fragrant nose of freshly made blueberry jam, violets, raspberries and strawberries. It’s like juicy and creamy fruit pastille goodness.

Despite the flamboyant fruity nose it still has great chalk and grip to the  dry finish. wow. Its absolutely cracking value (I think I saw it for just over R100 recently), it has complexity of components that you just don’t normally find at this price and it is immensely pleasing. This is where the Cape wine completely over delivers and shows that even on the low end price bracket it is worth keeping these beauties for a year of two to let them resolve and come together. Chill this guy for maximum refreshment and enjoyment. I actually made it to day two without it being finished and after a night in the fridge and some air it was even better. For the price this actually gets an EXCEPTIONAL rating BOOm!

Magna Carta // BLIND

I know pretty much nothing about Magna Carta but I have to say I was really impressed with this bottle. The spiel on the side explains the concept behind the name (Blind) as there is no information about the wine on the label. It questions whether you can drink a bottle without knowing anything about it? Its a safe bet to give this a go with this specific bottle because it was delicious. Just FYI I did manage to find out this is made from Touriga National the noble Portuguese variety which is a bit of a surprise as it is not at all common here. This is undoubtedly small production and I hear the Chardonnay is worth seeking out too. Definitely one to snap up if you see them. I picked this up from the Queen and Peasant on Kloof and I think Wine at the Mill had the Chardonnay.

The nose took some time to open up to a dark and rich spectrum of brambly flavours with a prune and damson top note and something like cedar wood sap and damp rolling tobacco lurking in the background.

Exceptionally clean line of fruit which is married to brilliant acidity. Its surprisingly clean, cherries smashing through the middle and a hint of coffee, smoke and dark chocolate at the back end.. Think Black Forest pudding with a clean juicy frame and lovely tangy grip. Refreshing in many ways. WELLPLAYED

Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

// Stellenbosch //13.5% //

Slightly restrained nose. Dusty wood with sweet dark fruit. Just a whiff of mint or bay in the background. Somehow older wine has the ability to make me feel nostalgic and familiar like you are at you grandparents house again in some warm and dusty light with old toys you only get to play with every now and again. But without the wine obviously..

Nice balance to the palette, nothing too big or blowsy. The primary fruit is starting to give way to more subtle and refined juiciness with tobacco and slight sweet peppery grip. It certainly was ripe but for a Stellie Cab (at a modest 13.5% for the style) it is very enjoyable and has become more graceful with just over a decade on the clock. Theres not a lot to dislike about this. Nice acidity and grip that will go really well with the right food. WELLPLAYED

Black Rock 2014

RADFORD DALE // Black Rock 2014 // Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Mouvedre & Viogner // Swartland // 13.5%

Co fermented Southern Rhone blend from old bush vine parcels throughout the Swartland. No stems and extended lees mostly old wood.

Still with only 3 years age on this it is tight at first and a bit reductive at the front but it is really electric and has the quality to be put in a decanter to show off a bit. In its compact state after opening it has bright red fruit, dark forest vibe, herb, smoke and mineral all vying with each other in a tightly wound fist fight.

Bramble fruit, blackberry, eucalyptis, cherry tobacco and earth all mashing on the palette. The black rock is subtle and elegant but also has real interest with some of the old forest floor and just a hint of woody spice in the background. Its not dense its more supple and elegant combining masterful balance of juicy, creamy spice and savoury. Definitely a real treat. SEEMEBUYME

A couple of Tremayne Smith wine’s

I opened a couple bottles by Tremayne Smith over the weekend, one under the Fable label (Raptor Post) where he is the winemaker and his Barebones Cinault under his own label The Blacksmith. Both offer really good value in and around the R100 mark.

The Blacksmith CInsault  (Paarl) 2017 13%

A little bit funky and reductive at the front, mineral and flint dominate over red and blue fruit. But i love this complexity it really works.

Soft, light bodied and round with nice grip and gentle acidity. Its got fantastic herbal edge which is a little bit funky but remains clean despite its greeness. This is a proper summer time treat and super satisfying.

It definitely appreciates being chilled and its young (2017) so it a bit nervy but just lovely juice. Always helpful to chuck in the fridge and decant to maximise the pleasure!

The Raptor Post 2016 Grenache Syrah Mouvedre 13.5%

This is certainly going to be a crowd pleaser. Slightly woody nose with black cherry, rolling tobacco, greengage and pepper. Sweet blackberry on the mid palette and some very satisfying grip to back it up. It is richer and broader texture than the leaner Cinsault A bit of oak influence in here if I’m not mistaken. Sweet fruit and grip is kept in an enjoyable balance by the acidity and grip. More traditional where as the Cinsault is as you would expect a bit more exploratory.

Testalonga // El Bandito The Dark Side Syrah 2016 // 12.5% # Bush vines on decomposed granite from the Paardeberg (Swartland) 100% whole bunch and matured in old oak foudre’s. Craig Hawkins has been one of the figureheads of natural winemaking in the Cape using organic practice in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar. The only addition being a small amount of SO2 before bottle and no filtration. For me when you get this right is gives the most incredible purity and texture. # Gorgeous dark purple colour. Some reduction on the fragrant nose, a little bit funky with mineral smoke also. This Syrah is a serious show off though, brimming over with purple blossom nectar and violet floral notes. Fynbos, blackberry, blueberry muffins and pepper spice all contending in a melange of funky fruit goodness. # Elegant balance to the palette, it’s very juicy and clean, buzzing with ecstatic red fruit zip. Nice structure with sweet fruit to balance and some greenness from the whole bunch intermingled. Fine chalky/papery tannins and just a bit of dark chocolate pepper spice at the end. # Just so pleasing, it has amazing texture and purity and is super drinkable while being really expressive and complex. // EXCEPTIONAL #testalonga

Cosmic Hand white 15 # White blend made by Craig Sheard of @elemental_bob consisting solid portions of Viognier, Chenin, Verdelho and Semillon. Picked this up from the tasting at the @thequeenandpeasant hosted by the knowledgable @point_marine # This is absolutely stunning, so soft and intriguingly elegant.. Summer hay and flowers on the nose lovely stone fruit laced with mineral flavours. Restrained stone fruit and tart apples through the palette with soft lemon meringue acidity and some toasty nuts in the background. Its so restrained but has great nuance and balance. Super! Such a class bottle. #greatcape

Lemberg Nelson 2013 [14%] from Tulbagh. # Love this slightly savoury and dark Syrah that comes with small splash of Carignan. # Plums and smashed blackberries on the restrained nose, just whiffs of coffee grinds and bonfire smoke. The palette is full and mouth coating with nice acidity and soft fruit like black cherries to balance out the dark elements of this bigger wine. Its completed by fynbos stalkyness which I really like. More classically framed, swaying towards the dark and mysterious over fruit purity. # Nice dark chocolate notes mingle through the green flavours that come from a portion being whole bunch fermented. The new oak adds a nice peppery grip at the end without being overbearing, very satisfying. #capewineblog

@bosmanwines Fides Grenache Blanc 4 weeks skin contact and a portion of oak. # This was probably the wrong choice coming off of an intense five days of flu. She aint the easiest going, maybe even a little austere but this isn’t my first rodeo. It probably deserves a more receptive human but I was feeling sorry for myself and wanted to open something nice… # Really interesting to compare this with Elemental Bobs Grenache Blanc (recently on the page) as they come from the same vineyard. Bob’s being soft approachable nutty, instantly agreeable (only 3 days skins). The Bosman much more taught and compact. This really took some time to open up which would suggest it is going have a long life ahead of it. # My wife is telling me its like fresh apricots and pastry on the nose but I can literally smell nothing. Once it had relaxed the texture became soft and gorgeous and there is a lovely herbal backbone. Wish now I had saved it for when I was in better form now but what’s a weekend without a great wine. #grenacheblanc