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South Africa To understand the wines of South Africa is to know not only the wine itself but also the history of the nation, the influence of culture and diversity, and the unique challenges of its

1 South Africa To understand the wines of South Africa is to know not only the wine itself but also the history of the nation, the influence of culture and diversity, and the unique challenges of its wine industry. The context here is important one can say the above about practically every wine region, but in South Africa these aspects are especially acute. Yet taking the wines per se also allows one to realize that this country for all its complications in coming to terms with its past and its associated acts is producing some of the most dynamic wines today. Calling South African wine New World is an anachronism the wine industry here dates from the 17th century. Yet in some respects the moniker is apt; what South African wine was bears little resemblance to what it became, and what it became is a far cry from what it is now. After the country s democratic election in 1994 the wine industry begun its transformation to take on its modern form increasingly cognizant of the twenty-fold increase in exports in the following decade as the country emerged from political isolation, and with this a deliberate shift towards quality. Nonetheless, this in itself highlights a singular challenge within South Africa, in that a strengthening domestic market does not remove the fact that it is heavily dependent on exports, compounded by its profound geographical isolation. Chenin Blanc is the country s most planted white variety (18% of the national vineyard) and is produced in virtually every style imaginable; Cabernet Sauvignon carries the flag for red varieties (12%), although Pinotage (7%) a native cross between Pinot Noir & Cinsault can rightly be called South Africa s own. In certain mesoclimates, Pinot Noir (Walker Bay) and Sauvignon Blanc (Constantia) can be distinctive and pedigreed, and present strong evidence against the assertion that South Africa can be generalized as a hot-climate viticultural region. A Wine of Origin system instills rigor into the labelling of wines, yet its distinctions of wine growing areas from Geographical Unit (broadest) to Region to District to Ward can bring its own bewilderment to the uninitiated consumer. Despite this, a number of these geographical names from Western Cape (GU) to Stellenbosch (District) to Hemelen-Aarde Valley (Ward) are beginning to resonate.

ASHBOURNE Sandstone 2008 The 2008 Sandstone is a blend of 77% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and 3% Semillon made by the Hamilton Russell family. It sports a clear straw color in the glass.

2 ASHBOURNE Sandstone 2008 The 2008 Sandstone is a blend of 77% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and 3% Semillon made by the Hamilton Russell family. It sports a clear straw color in the glass. The nose is very attractive with scents of honeysuckle, wax resin, sea spray and a touch of damp straw that is welldefined. The palate is clean and focused on the entry with well-judged acidity. It feels full in the mouth but not viscous, with a patina of dried honey and dried quince. It fans out beautifully on the finish but maintains a tight control. You feel that this Sandstone is deserving of several years cellaring and yet its charms are difficult to resist now. This is so much better than the 2007 tasted previously. 90 points. FAIRVIEW Pinotage 2014 The varietal Pinotage is a polarizing wine; while on one hand it is celebrated as South Africa s contribution to the wine library, it is still derided in some quarters where the first (and last) experience with the wine involved a paint-like characteristic that will show itself forcefully through faulty winemaking. Improvements in the cellar have reduced this fault to virtually nil, however, which leaves a wine showing its own singular balance of fruit and earth that can be judged under normal considerations. Pure raspberry and loganberry fruit flows through this version, underscored by a light toasted vanilla note. An echo of mint shows on the fresh finish. Drink now. 88 points.

3 RUST-EN-VREDE Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 An estate dating back over 320 years, this Stellenbosch mainstay became a red wine specialist focusing on Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot in 1977, and have compiled accolades since then. Producer of the first South African red wine to be included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 (1998), and have featured on the list a total of five times. A delicious red, exhibiting ripe red currant, raspberry and plum fruit laced with a bright savory note. Everything courses through the alder-edged finish. Focused and energetic. Drink now through points. KLEIN CONSTANTIA Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Once a part of the legendary Constantia estate south of Cape Town (and producer of a dessert wine that was the most celebrated in Europe), Klein Constantia was divested from the larger estate in 1823 (the remaining portion being known as Groot Constantia). Located on a stretch of land with a climate ideal for cool-climate viticulture, Sauvignon Blanc planted on the upper slopes of the vineyard has become a regional specialty. The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc has an energetic nose with green apple, lime, citrus lemon and orange zest that leaps from the glass. The palate is clean and fresh with vibrant acidity, nicely weighted in the mouth with gooseberry and grass clipping notes towards the tertiary finish. A little taut now, afford this a year in bottle. 90 points. KEN FORRESTER Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014 An ambassador for South African wines, Ken Forrester s Old Vine Chenin achieves the balance between fruit and oak that to be honest eludes many otherwise venerable South African estates. The presence of oak with this varietal is a contentious one to begin with, the strongest argument being that the purity of the fruit somewhat elusive to begin with can be completely overshadowed by a heavy-handed oak regime; on top of that, putting the wine in oak adds a premium to the wine s cost. This wine thus succeeds on multiple fronts. Ripe, with an almost unctuous feel, exhibiting creamed plum, green melon and green fig fruit flavors that roll along, backed by hints of white ginger and piecrust. Stays juicy enough on the finish. Drink now. 88 points.

4 THE FMC 2013 The 2013 The FMC is a blend of five selections of Chenin Blanc chosen by Ken Forrester walking and tasting through the vineyard. It is pressed off into barrels and matured in around 40% new oak. Then there is a barrel selection at the end of the process. It has a lightly honeyed, orange blossom, marzipan and toffee apple-scented bouquet that opens nicely in the glass. The palate is very fresh on the entry, the acidity neatly cutting through the slightly viscous texture, plenty of tension here with fine precision and poise towards the finish, hints of grilled almond and walnut lingering on the aftertaste. This is a stylish Chenin Blanc that should age with style. 93 points. SECATEURS Chenin Blanc 2014 As was mentioned previously, Chenin Blanc is the country s most planted white variety its multiple appearances on this South African showcase attest to that. This Secateurs wine come from the A.A. Badenhorst estate; the face of the estate is winemaker Adi Badenhorst, somewhat of a modern icon in the country s wine industry. The Swartland region where this wine originates presents a desolate landscape, the mostly flat, barren land seeming to stretch endlessly in every direction. Yet this is a land of conscientious viticulture and winemaking, and the proof is in the bottle. Bright and engaging, showing lots of white peach, Jonagold apple and Cavaillon melon notes, offset by a floral edge. The pure, unadorned finish sails on. Drink now. 90 points.

BOSCHENDAL Elgin Pinot Noir 2014 Founded in 1685, this estate is situated in Franschhoek in the Drakenstein Valley, arguably one of the most beautiful regions in South Africa.

5 BOSCHENDAL Elgin Pinot Noir 2014 Founded in 1685, this estate is situated in Franschhoek in the Drakenstein Valley, arguably one of the most beautiful regions in South Africa. This wine is from the estate s appellation series, in this case showcasing the cool coastal terroir of Elgin. Upon opening this wine shows a dense red fruit character and a prominent expression of oak spice, to the point that I put it aside to see how it would evolve over the course of a day. Revisiting the wine the following evening showed its true pedigree the structure of the wine was precise, with vivid notes of strawberry, cranberry, and red cherry and a long finish of spice and cola. For most serving purposes I recommend decanting this wine, and pairing with light game or salmon. WARWICK Three Cape Ladies 2013 A blend of 50% Pinotage, 34% Shiraz and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak for 18 months (22% new), the 2013 Three Cape Ladies sees more Pinotage than previous vintages because of the sheer quality (it comes from a high density block, around 4,629 vines per hectare, planted 15 years ago). The nose is very perfumed with hints of peppermint infusing the black plum and black cherry fruit, with white fennel revealed by continued aeration. The palate is mediumbodied with supple tannin. There is a pleasing sense of purity here and their decision to up the percentage of Pinotage was an astute one, lending this a rounded, very supple and harmonious finish that just slips down the throat. This is recommended. 91 points. MULDERBOSCH Faithful Hound 2013 Under winemaker Adam Mason and the guidance of Andy Erickson (of Screaming Eagle fame), Mulderbosch is an estate going from strength to strength. This Bordeaux-style blend (Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Malbec & Petit Verdot) is sourced from a combination of Muldebosch s own vineyards surrounding False Bay and other select terroir throughout the Cape, the goal being to find the correct expression of each varietal. The modern interpretation of Bordeaux that results is a pleasure. 91 Points, Vinous. Solid, with dark currant and fig fruit liberally laced with briary tannins and tar and tobacco notes. Retains a dark, grippy edge through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through Copyright 2016 Green's Beverages, All rights reserved.

SOUTH AFRICA DIAMOND BAY

SOUTH AFRICA DIAMOND BAY SOUTH AFRICA Liberated by the advent of democracy, the South African wine industry has gone from strength to strength. The Cape winegrowing areas, situated in the narrow viticultural zone of the southern