Recently Released South African Wines

One of the really great things about wines is that there is always a fresh vintage available to sample. In the Northern Hemisphere, when the grapes are just beginning to flower and the previous year’s wines are quietly resting in casks, the Southern Hemisphere wineries are shipping their latest vintages and the wines of Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa are on their way to us right now. Of all of those wine producing nations, we must declare our admiration for the wines of South Africa. We really cannot put our finger on the differences in the wines of South Africa but there definitely is one. Whether it is the climate, the soil, or even its geographic location, South African wines are in a class by themselves and it is an A+ class.

Fairview 2013 Pinotage ($16.99). The Pinotage grape is a cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault ad has been grown in South Africa for so long it can be considered a native variety. The Fairview 2013 Pinotage has a deep garnet color, a red berry aroma, a robust concentrated flavor stressing summer red berries and spice with an oak background
then ending in a powerful and very memorable full fruit finish making this a wine that should not be missed.

Indaba 2014 Chenin Blanc (Steen)($12.99). Indaba is the Zulu word for a meeting of important people to exchange ideas and Steen is the South African name for the Chenin Blanc grape. We believe that the wine should be called Steen because the Chenin Blanc grape takes on a completely different personality when grown in South Africa. The Indaba 2014 Chenin Blanc wine has an inviting pale yellow color with of hint of green around the edges. The aroma displays, pineapples, guavas, lychee, lemon and lime in abundance. The flavor is clean and lively with nuances of nutmeg and cloves. Stylistically, the wine is off-dry and displays a lightly oaked background coupled with the steely, flint-like telltale South African signature flavor in the finish.

Fairview 2013 Pinotage ($16.99). The Pinotage grape is a cross between the Pinot Noir and Cinsault, which has been grown South African for so long it is almost a native and is as truly a specialty as one can find. The Fairview 2013 Pinotage has a deep garnet color, a red berry aroma, a robust concentrated flavor stressing summer red berries and spice with an oak background. It is a perfect red wine for heavy beef dishes or spicy foods.

Nederberg 2011 “The Motorcycle Marvel” Red ($28). From that name you would expect something special and with this wine, you would not be wrong. Called a Rhone red because it has been made with the French Rhone River varietals; Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Shiraz all grown in the Stellenbosch district the Napa Valley of South Africa. This wine has a deep ruby red in color and a nose of strawberry, coffee, nutmeg, spice, mulberry, and oak. The wine is dry, well balanced, full bodied, and presents the rich flavors of plums, blackberries and vanilla, and soft tannins, thus endowing the wine with great structure and complexity. The finish is long and pleasing displaying intense blackberry and vanilla. For red wine lovers, this wine is a real treat and a great experience.

Fleur du Cap 2014 Sauvignon Blanc ($10). The signature fruit flavors really stand out in this offering from Fleur du Cap. This wine adds new interest to a variety that has become humdrum in recent years. The traditional flavors and aromas of citrus and grass, with a hint of melon abound in this wine and are very obvious. The flavor is very complex stressing white berry with a suggestion of melon. This wine is a step in another direction from the usual Savignon Blanc fare and we found it both interesting and delightful and you have lost interest in the variety in recent years, try the Fleur du Cap 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, you will be pleasantly surprised.