WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA, NOVEMBER 10, 2006
The Vitis Amsterdamensis Wine Club met in its ‘usual’ venue on 10 November 2006 to sip and slurp our way through seven South African wines – plus an aperitif – supplied by Richard Fox of TablePartners.com. Without doubt the seven wines – comprising three white and four red – were of very high quality indeed, and our notes and scores reflect a very enjoyable and fun evening:
Wine 1 : Hendrik Lodewijk Petit Verdot
Producer: Du Preez Estate
Grape varieties: Petit Verdot
Vintage 2001
The 2001 vintage was a hot, dry and largely disease-free vintage, yielding some excellent reds, noted for their concentrated fruity taste. Named after the great-grandfather of Hendrik Lodewijk IV, this wine has a flowery nose of violets and lavender with a ripe berry taste on the palate, complimented by wood for clean spicy effect uncluttered with vanilla. Excellent with full-flavoured meats enhanced with rosemary, thyme, black pepper and garlic, such as lamb, beef and duck. Our score: 3.48
Wine 2 : J.H. Pacas Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Bernheim
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage 2003
Careful selection of the hand-picked grapes in the vineyard has resulted in only the best grapes being selected for this wine. After being matured in 85% new French Oak for 17 months, the resulting wine has a deep velvety colour with complex ripe berry fruits balanced with hints of cedar and oak spiciness. Our score: 3.40
Wine 3 : Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Du Preez Estate
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage 2005
Despite severe drought and heavy rainfall, the 2005 harvest produced some outstanding wines since the smaller berries yielded more character and concentration. This particular Sauvignon Blanc is of an exceptional quality and is especially good with seafood and Asian style dishes. Our score: 3.11
Wine 4 : J.H. Pacas Shiraz
Producer: Bernheim
Grape varieties: Shiraz
Vintage 2004
This delicious Shiraz has a flowery aroma of heather, violets, lavender, and raspberries. The
introduction is full bodied and satin smooth, classic Shiraz. The middle is a delicious combination of honey and cream, with very gentle tannins and the slightest peppery bite. The finish is very long, fruity and complex, with many and continuous flavours coming to your mind. This Shiraz has been aged for 17 months on 90% new French and American Oak. You can enjoy now, but will benefit from a further 6-8 years maturation. Our score: 2.88
Wine 5 : Chardonnay
Producer: Du Preez Estate
Grape varieties: Chardonnay
Vintage 2001
The 2004 vintage was long and late as well as suffering from uneven berry set and an early aroma-stripping heatwave. Nevertheless, cooler dry conditions yielded healthy elegant wines with lower alcohol and yielding tannins. This Chardonnay contains a hint of wood with delicate citrus and creamy richness, and it is great with poultry dishes, pasta and cheese. Our score: 2.87
Wine 6 : Polla’s Red
Producer: Du Preez Estate
Grape varieties: Pinotage, Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Ruby Cabernet
Vintage 2002
This excellent wine comprises a blend of Pinotage, Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Ruby Cabernet grapes. It is a rich dark red wine with a coffee-chocolate palate and touch of smoke with interesting spices on the nose. Ideally suited to hearty meat and game dishes. Our score: 2.59
Wine 7 : Chenin Blanc
Producer: Bernheim
Grape varieties: Chenin Blanc
Vintage 2004
The grapes of this wine were allowed to reach the optimum ripeness before being hand harvested, as a result of which only the best grapes have been used in producing this excellent wine. After being cold settled prior to the controlled fermentation on new French Oak , this wine was matured for a further three months. The resulting wine contains a beautiful combination of the Chenin Blanc flavours and the gentle hint of oak aromas. Our score: 2.43