It is not very often that I have the opportunity to assess wines from South Africa. This selection from Swartland and Western Cape were interesting – that is all I can really say. One thing I did learn was 30% of all vines planted in SA are Chenin Blanc and SA has the biggest planting of this variety in the world. Also 95% of SA wines are produced within a 150 km radius of Cape Town. But its whats in the bottle. Lets find out.
2017 Badenhorst “Secateurs’ Chenin Blanc (Swartland)
Chenin Blanc needs a warm climate to flourish. The aromas were flinty with honey, orange blossom and white stone fruit notes. Rich, ripe and tropical but also fresh and clean to keep it all balanced. $24.50. WC 17/20.
2016 Alheit Vineyards ‘Cartology’ Chenin Semillon (Western Cape)
A spicy, complex, naturally fermented blend of Chenin with 11% Semillon, showing stony minerality and notes of aniseed and honey. The finish is long and refreshing. Needs time and improved greatly after 30 mins in the glass. $65.00. WC 17/20.
2017 Wightam Gouws & Clarke Pinotage (Swartland)
On the nose, cherry and strawberry, herbs and spice. The palate was lightweight (alcohol is 12%) dry on the back palate, sweet up front, stalkey with rhubarb overtones. $27.50. WC 14/20.
2016 David & Nadia Pinotage (Swartland)
Darker in colour, but sour sweet dry finish, fruit disappears quickly on the back palate, nice cherry overtones though. Tasted OK after opening out. $44.00. WC 15/20.
2016 David & Nadia Grenache (Swartland)
Very pale and sweet, almost strawberry jam, on the nose. A bit of spice but sour fruit. Totally away from an Australian Grenache style. $66.00. WC 13/20
2015 Badenhorst Family Red (Swartland)
A blend consisting’52% Shiraz, 21% Grenache, 18% Cinsault, 9% Tinta Barocca. Dark colour with consistent hue. Plenty of grunt but not fruit explosion despite a modest alcohol of 13% and in need of a year or three to settle down. $55.00. WC 16/20.
PS: I was interested reading the back label which exclaimed:
“Don’t drink and walk on the road you may be killed”
2016 Alheit Flotsam & Jetsam Cinsault
A grape variety that has been in SA for a long tome. Made from 40 year vines on sandy soils. Fresh in colour. juicy and bright. Not a serious wine showing predominately spice, Stinky nose.$29.00 WC 14/20.
Summary
I don’t want to upset you but I just could not get into the Pinotage wines presented. The treatment of this variety continues on a long and winding road to quality. The Chenin Blanc and Chenin blend were delightful but the price point delivers much better value from the Loire Valley and Australia. All were far too expensive for what you got!
