Every week, WoSA aims to introduce the world to the fantastic wines of South Africa and the people who make them. While it’s important to know about these wines, it is much more enjoyable to try them. That’s why, every week, we will provide a compact summary of the wines mentioned in our interviews and in the news, as well as links to where you can buy them online. Due to rules and regulations that vary on a state-by-state basis, the stockist provided may not be able to ship to you. If you come across such a problem, we recommend using Wine Searcher to find a purveyor who can. Cheers!
Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012
Tasting Notes: Matured in French oak for ten months, Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc is soft, complex and surprisingly full-bodied. A nose of melon, baked apple and spice leads to a mineral-laden palate enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavors from lees contact.
To visit Drink Up NY to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010
Wine Advocate: The 2010 Reserve Chenin Blanc, last tasted just prior to bottling, has fulfilled its promise. The nose is resplendent with the same nascent peach and jasmine aromas with touches of lemon curd and walnut joining the chorus line. The palate is full of vigour with bright peach and apricot notes on the entry, the acidity more lifted than 12 months ago, but it beautifully counterbalances the richness and viscosity towards the finish. This is an excellent Chenin Blanc that will age will style. Drink now-2020. 93 Points.
To visit K&L Wine Merchants to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Silwervis Chenin Blanc 2011
Miguel Chan: Pale straw with yellow reflections. Clean, good purity of fruit, notes of banana skin, orange peel, hints of volatile acidity evident, but in check, eraser gum, mineral. Dry, sappy with moderate plus acidity, good cut, racy and mineral, fresh, rich texture and elegant.
To visit Chamber Street Wine to purchase, click here.
Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2011
Wine Enthusiast: Young and fresh, this Chenin shows the stuffing to hold for another couple of years thanks to firm, tight acidity and a solid fruit core of pear, melon, guava and lime rind. The mouthfeel is round, but the palate isn’t heavy. An attractive hint of sweet spice unfolds on the finish. 88 Points.
To visit Woodland Hills Wine Company to purchase, click here.
Self-imported.
Protea Chenin Blanc 2013
Tasting Notes: Pale lemon. Fresh, crisp fruit. Hints of pear, citrus and honeysuckle. The wine is created in a lighter, more accessible style for earlier enjoyment.
To visit Wine.com to purchase, click here.
Imported by Terlato Wines International.
Botanica Chenin Blanc 2010
Tasting Notes: The juice was immediately pressed and cold settled for 2 days at 55ºF. Half was fermented in stainless steel tanks and half was fermented in 400 litre French barrels. After fermentation the wine was left on the fine lees in stainless steel tanks/wood barrels for 9 months. “4.5 Star – Platters Guide to South African Wine 2012, and the Wine Advocate names Botanica as one to look out for in the future.” Only 350 cases made.
To visit K&L Wine Merchants to purchase, click here.
Imported by Knauth & Visser, LLC.
De Morgenzon “DMZ” Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Tasting Notes: Pale, bright gold with green reflections. Expansive nose blossoming with youth and bursting fresh bouquet on the nose. Heaps of fresh, ripe, sweet fruit in the mouth with jangle of brisk acidity. Intense and almost like a stroppy young teenager full of vigour yet still has the breeding to tone down and develop over a year or two.
To visit Marketview Liquor to purchase, click here.
Self-imported.
Simonsig Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Tasting Notes: Tropical fruit, green pepper with hints of asparagus. The crisp acidity and mineral notes ensures a lingering fresh finish.
To visit GetWineOnline.com to purchase, click here.
Imported by Quintessential Wines.
Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc
Winemaker’s Notes: OBiKWA Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal summer wine and smacks of crisp tropical fruit with a smattering of gooseberries and fig. If you’re planning a night out with mates – don’t forget to bring along a bottle of this yummy potion.
To visit Saratoga Wine Exchange to purchase, click here.
Imported by Vici Wines & Spirits.
Robertson Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier 2012
Winemaker’s Notes: This wine has a pronounced nose of mulberries, plum and hints of marmalade. The wine is matured in French Barrique, displaying flavors of black currant, dark chocolate and spice.
To visit Binny’s to purchase, click here.
Imported by Worthwhile Wine.
Fairview “Goats Do Roam” White 2012
Winemaker’s Notes: A light, bright wine with tropical fruit & floral notes on the nose. Light peach with pear drops on the rich palate which is well-balanced with fruit driven freshness and zesty acidity. 58% Viognier, 33% Roussanne, and 9% Grenache Blanc.
To visit Gary’s Wine to purchase, click here.
Imported by Vineyard Brands.
Mulderbosch Rose 2013
Winemaker’s Notes: A sexy pink color with lively hues. The nose combines aromas of ripe blood-orange, cherry-drops and black currant cordial with fragrant sandalwood whiffs. The gorgeously weighted palate balances juicy fruit flavours with racy acidity and finishes on a pleasantly persistent, zesty note.
To visit Wine.com to purchase, click here.
Self-imported.
Buitenverwachting “Bayten” Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Tasting Notes: This crisp and zesty. yet ripe Sauvignon Blanc displays textbook aromas and flavors of green fig, gooseberry and lime along with grapefruit and kiwi. Grassy herbal notes are supported by elegant underpinnings of mineral and chalk. You get a lot of wine for your money with this Sauvignon Blanc from one of the last high value regions in the world.
To visit Chelsea Wine Vault to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Raats Chenin Blanc 2011
Wine Spectator: Fresh and direct, with a nice display of chamomile, white peach and blanched almond notes offset by juicy acidity on the finish. Drink now. 88 Points.
To visit Marketview Liquor to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Bartinney Chardonnay 2010
Wine Spectator: Ripe but pure, offering creamed yellow apple, honeysuckle, pear and green fig notes that course along nicely, framed by a gentle hint of buttered brioche. Features a long, creamy finish. Drink now through 2013. 100 cases imported. 91 Points.
To visit B-21 to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Glenelly Unwooded Chardonnay 2012
Wine Spectator: A solid, focused style, showing a light toast shading to the core of pear, yellow apple and melon flavors. Features a lingering brioche note, with good length on the finish. Drink now. 90 Points.
To visit Marketview Liquor to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Kanonkop Pinotage 2011
Tasting Notes: A very complex wine with hints of red fruit flavours which reflects some Pinot Noir style elegance and structure. Big, bold tannin structures which are down played by ripe tannins and elegance.
To visit Ultimate Wine Shop to purchase, click here.
Imported by Broadbent Selections.
Glenelly “Glass Collection” Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Wine Advocate: The 2009 The Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon is matured for 12 months in oak with racking every four. It has a lifted, slightly “briny” bouquet with good definition. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins, a grainy texture with a dry, quite austere tobacco-laced finish. Showing impressive grip and persistence, I suggest leaving this for another 12 months in bottle.
To visit K&L Wine Merchants to purchase, click here.
Imported by Cape Classics.
Paul Cluver “Noble” Late Harvest Riesling 2008
Winemaker’s Notes: Packed with apricot, spice and honey characteristics on the nose. The mouth feel is full and impressively rich but with superb balance, the result of elegant Riesling acidity. The aftertaste seems to linger forever. This wine will gain complexity after 2 to 5 years in the bottle. The perfect way to end a meal, or enjoy with flavourful cheeses.
To visit Manor House Cellar to purchase, click here.
Imported by Maverick Wine Company.
Ken Forrester “The FMC” Chenin Blanc 2010
Winemaker’s Notes: This iconic Chenin is a benchmark South African bottling, and what Ken Forrester consider to be the ultimate expression of the Chenin Blanc grape. Crafted in a rich, ripe style, it flaunts luscious flavors of honeycomb, dried apricot and pear, with exotic tropical fruit notes and alluring undercurrents of toasted nuts, vanilla and spice.
To visit Tewksbury Fine Wines to purchase, click here.
Imported by Maverick Wine Company.
Photo courtesy of Seckford Agency.
