So. African port-style and other wines

For things that don't fit into the other categories.

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Roy Hersh
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So. African port-style and other wines

Post by Roy Hersh »

A quick email to offer the 5-Star wines and congratulate their respective wineries in the 2008 John Platter Wine Guide. Over the last few months 5500-odd wines were assessed by various judges and 89 wines were submitted to the 5 star tasting last week. 11 judges then re-tasted these blind to cast a 'yes' or 'no' vote for the illusive top-rating in the guide. Those wines that received more yes's than no's receive the 5 Stars whilst the rest receive 4.5 Stars. The wine with the most yes's is judged the Wine-of-the-year and will be named at a later date. The super-quaffer will also be announced at this time. Port-style wines have done extremely well this year representing over a quarter of the total list. It shows great quality in this field and there is some surprisingly good value too.

Cape Point Vineyards has once again stolen the show with their precision whites; please let me know if you would like to be on the allocation list upon their release.

Of the 89 wines that were whittled down, here are some of my highlights... The Beyerskloof "Field blend" stood out for its Bordeaux-like poise and opulence from the fleshy 2003 vintage. The Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak from Bouchard Finlayson has to be the best Pinot Noirs I have tasted from SA; comparable (and priced as!) to fine Burgundy. The Boplaas Cape Vintage is a gem of a port that will likely last 50 years. Why not stick a case away? de Trafford Shiraz is marked for its fantastic intensity, sold-out pre-release by Wine Cellar. We have kept a few cases back for such an occasion.

The Edgebaston-Finlayson will be on the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction this year. Wine Cellar will be a proxy for bidding once again. Please let me know of your quantity and maximum bid if you are interested. Included in the list below are my short notes from the tasting.



Please reply to this email or phone 021 448 4105 to order or to be on the distribution list upon the release of the unavailable wines.

Vinous regards!


Winery
Vintage
5 Star wine and note
Price/6 x 750ml

unless stated otherwise

Cape Point Vineyards
2006
Sauvignon Blanc Limited Release (Woolworths)
Available from Woolworths


Somewhat dusty but gleaming and crystalline on the palate.

Cape Point Vineyards
2006
Isliedh (White Blend)
To be released


Very fine. Super back palate, really full and deep!

Vergelegen
2006
White
To be released


Oily, round and rich. Showing some evolvement already.

Steenberg Vineyards
2007
Magna Carta (White Blend)
To be released


Quite composed already. layered, pure and intense.

Cape Point Vineyards
2007
Semillon
To be released



Waxy nose, hints of herbs. Quite big, needs time. Fabulous!

Sequillo Cellars
2007
White blend
R830
Quite fine and floral, rich and opulent already

Forestor Meinart
2005
FMC Chenin Blanc
SOLD OUT


Big and rich, lots of everything here!

Bouchard Finlayson
2005
Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir
R3,330


A seamless wine, quite Burgundian. Pure fruit and lovely mineral edge

De Trafford
2005
Shiraz
R2,100


Classic, deep, rich and massively complex.

Beyerskloof
2003
Field Blend (Cape Bordeaux Blend)
R975


My favourite of the flight. Fine, floral and invigorating. Long, leaping and majestic!

Hartenburg
2005
'The Mackenzie' (Cape Bordeaux Blend)
To be released


Real classy appeal. Sweet fruits and ultra-fine tannins. One to look forward to!

Radford Dale
2005
Gravity (Shiraz based blend)
R1,365


Bright, fresh and firm. Some menthol, quite backward and dense.

Edgebaston-Finlayson
2004
Edgebaston GS Cabernet Sauvignon
CWG Auction


Attractive and quite rounded on the nose. Palate is more assertive.

Kanonkop Estate
2003
Cabernet Sauvignon
To be released


Sour cherry, cassis. Velvety and succulent. Classy wine

Axe Hill
2005
Cape Vintage Port
To be released


My favourite of the ports, little dusty. Thick, ripe and powerful.

Boplaas
2005
Cape Vintage
R1,014


Complex myriad of fruits and spice. Wine-like elegance.

De Krans
2005
Vintage Reserve
R888


Classy with a hint of buggu. Sweet and ripe. Rather forward.

JP Bredell
2003
Cape Vintage Reserve
To be released


Little oaky at this stage. Little angular and wine-like. Needs lots of time

Boplaas 2005 Vintage Reserve Port R1,020
Muscular and broody with wine-like elegance. Massive tannin, needs decades!
Boplaas
NV
Cape Tawny
R420


Quite rustic but rich and beguiling. Very long and sexy finish

Paul Cluver
2006
Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest (375ml)
R780


Loads of apricots, opulent and pure. Great balance.

Fleur du Cap
2006
Noble Late Harvest (375ml)
To be released


Sauternes-like, ultra fine, elegant and focused
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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