Top South African wines assessed 30 March 2008

Jancis Robinson's notes on some Platter high-scorers

These notes appear on the restricted access part of Jancis Robinson's website, and are reprinted on Grape with her kind permission

• Jansis Robinson's very positive article about the tasting, published in the Financial Times, is available on the open part of the website, and available by clicking here.

Below are my notes on 66 wines shown in London recently, supposedly because they were all given either 5 or 4.5 stars in the 2008 Platter Guide (although in the event the UK importers didn’t always manage to supply the right vintage – see the notes with each wine).

I was pretty impressed overall, as I report in my overview, which will be published in free for all on Saturday, and some of the prices (especially Simonsig’s) are wonderfully interesting. Some of these reds are unusually mature for bottles available on the market, while a white such as Hamilton Russell’s Chardonnay seems far too youthful for the moment.

The styles of Sauvignon Blanc were extremely varied. Whites were much better value than reds in general. There were one or two good examples of Syrah/Shiraz but in general Bordeaux red grapes seemed more convincing. See my article for more.

SA Wines Online (www.sawinesonline.co.uk) is the official UK retailer for wines in the Platter guide apparently.

SPARKLING WINE

Simonsig Estate, Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs 1999 Stellenbosch 16.5 Drink 2004-09                                                  

Pretty good autolysis character. Some real bottle age – honeyed colour – very gentle for current drinking. Obviously Chardonnay. Thoroughly clean but with quite enough flavour. Satisfying. 12% GV

£10.99

91% Chardonnay, 9% Pinot Noir

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importer: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

CHENIN BLANC

Ken Forrester, FMC Chenin Blanc 2006 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2007-11                         

Quite honeyed straw colour (not the aroma though honeyed damp straw is exactly what I wd expect to find on the nose – let’s see...) Yes indeed! Lots of honey and acidity – with a good green streak running through it. Complete. Though it’s no bargain. A slight funkiness and wildness suggests this is not super-techno wine – tant mieux. I should imagine there’s a fair bit of residual sugar (RS) but the acidity dominates it. You could happily serve this with a wide range of savoury foods – especially richly sauced fish dishes. 14.5%

£16.99

100% Chenin Blanc

5 star rating for the 2005

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, Premier Vintners, Swig, Jascots Wine Merchants, Sefridges, Harrods, Waitrose

UK importer: Thierry’s Wine Service (T: 01794 507100)

Simonsig Estate Chenin Avec Chêne 2006 Stellenbosch 16.5 Drink 2006-09                  

Avec Chêne indeed…! Must confess I am always put off by gratuitous French, but perhaps this is a pun on the name of the grape. The chêne, or oak, is actually very well balanced. A little less concentrated and wild than the FMC above but a very good wine and a great price. Thank you, Simonsig.  14.5% GV

£9.99

100% Chenin Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importer: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

SAUVIGNON BLANC

De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Tygerberg 15.5 Drink 2008

Not that aromatic for a Sauvignon, a little suppressed. Seems rather sweet and inexpressive. Doesn’t seem a standout to me… A disappointing bottle? 13%

£7.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating for the superior Koetshuis bottling

UK stockists: Oddbins

UK importer: Stratford’s Wine Agencies (T: 01628 810 606)

Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Elgin 17 Drink 2008       
A more familiarly varietal nose than the De Grendel example. Nicely fills the palate without being too sweet. Very fresh fruit and satisfying balance. Not for the long term but very well put together with juicy green fruit flavours. Great texture. Really satisfying wine even if not flashy. 13%

£9.95

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, Abbey Fine Wines, Harrods, L'Art du Vin

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

Jordan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Stellenbosch 16 Drink 2008
Smells as though there was a clear intention to make a minerally Sauvignon here. Bright fruit – good winemaking but not particularly refined or characterful. Rather astringent finish. On balance I’d say their Chardonnays are more notable. 13%

£9.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: www.everywine.co.uk, SA Wines Online, Jeroboams (London), Sandhams Wine Merchants (Lincolnshire), The Oxford Wine Company

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

Durbanville Hills, Biesjes Craal Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Durbanville 16.5 Drink 2008-09             
Lightly smoky on the nose with quite aggressive acidity and green fruit flavours. Very Marlborough in style. Dry and only slightly astringent. I’d love to see this alongside some Marlborough examples at the same price. 12%

£8.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Distell Europe (T: 020 8614 2720)

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2008-09     Very light nose but very tight, well put together palate with real personality and vibrancy. Good positive dry finish. Confident winemaking – well done and gives the impression that it will grow in stature in both glass and bottle. 12.5%

£11.55

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Note - 2007 vintage in stores from July 2008

4.5 star rating for the 2006

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Armit Wines Ltd (T: 020 7908 0600)

Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Elgin 17 Drink 2008-09    
Cool customer with lovely smooth texture. Very definitely more in the mineral spectrum than the green fruit spectrum. Great palate impact. Bone dry finish. Could well be exhibiting its own local style rather than emulating another from another continent… Well done! 13%

£11.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Booths Wines, The Sussex Wine Company

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Kumkani, Lanner Hill Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Groenekloof 16 Drink 2008 

Low-key nose, well mannered but not attention grabbing. Very round fruit. Sweetish. Not a standout. 14.5%

£12.99

100% Sauvignon Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Various independents, SA Wines Online, www.everywine.com, www.capewineandfood.com

UK importer: The Company of Wine People (T: 02074181800)

Klein Constantia Estate, Perdeblokke Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Constantia 17 Drink 2008-09                                                   
Tank sample. Juicy fruit, very clean and refreshing. Lightweight – this would pale in a lineup of NZ Sauvignons but it has nice balance and gentle texture. Very long.

£13.00

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Note – This is an advance sample. This vintage available in the UK only from autumn 2008

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SWIG, Quintessentially Wines, SA Wines Online, Noel Young Wines

UK importer: Metzendorff (T: 020 7840 3600)

CHARDONNAY

Durbanville Hills, Rhinofields Chardonnay 2005 Durbanville 16.5 Drink 2007-09
Slightly syrupy and quite evolved but pretty good for the money. 13.5% GV

£7.49

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Distell Europe (T: 020 8614 2720)

Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2006 Elgin 17 Drink 2008-09
Very tight and cool and aromatic – almost a Chablis style. The most delicate suggestion of malolactic fermentation. Good acidity. Not desperately sophisticated but a very refreshing Drink. Could be drunk as an aperitif. Pretty light though – I wouldn’t age this too long. 13.5%

£9.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Laytons

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Groote Post Unwooded Chardonnay 2006 Darling 16 Drink 2008
Bright, pale gold. Very light nose and a bit sweet. Competent with bright fruit but it doesn’t seem very subtle. Not a bad price but a suggestion of simplistic butterscotch stops it getting a higher mark from me. 14%

£10.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating for the wooded version – the unwooded was sent by mistake

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Vins de Bordeaux, Penistone Court Cellars, Lakeland Vintners

UK importer: Louis Latour Agencies (T: 020 7409 7276)

Bouchard Finlayson, Missionvale Chardonnay 2006 Walker Bay 16.5 Drink 2008-11

Very cool, minerally nose. Tight and gives the impression that it will age well. Lightly spicy. Fresh and clean. Piercing acidity. You can’t fault Bouchard Finlayson for consistency. Always a bit lean and reticent to begin with. 13%  

£11.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Lea and Sandeman, London

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 2006 Stellenbosch 17+ Drink 2009-13                       
Light gold. Rather light nose though nothing out of place. Much more savoury and burgundian than most SA Chardonnays. Pretty ambitious and still youthful. Clearly some top quality French oak was used here. I would wait for it to unfurl. Seems underpriced – or should I not point that out?  14.5%

£12.79

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Majestic, Whole Foods Market, SA Wines Online, Hailsham Cellars, The Vine King (Reigate and Brighton)

UK importer: Paragon Vintners (T: 0207 887 1800)

Sumaridge Chardonnay 2006 Walker Bay 16+? Drink 2009-11
So light and polite it could easily be overlooked in a blind tasting but it has very good natural acidity and just the slightest hint of acetone. Still quite young and introvert. Ambitious. Bone dry. 14%

£12.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating for the 2005

UK stockists: Charles Steevenson (Devon: Tel: 01822 616272), Vinusvita (mail order at: Vinusvita@aol.com)

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

Edgebaston Chardonnay 2006 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2008-10

Finlayson Family’s offering. Unusually dense nose and then rather sweet palate entry but a dry finish and I think if one were given this in Meursault one would not be shocked. One for Patience Waddilove in that it is rather richer than the average Meursault of today? Well done – especially for the money.  14.5% GV

£12.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Connollys Wine Merchant (Birmingham), Dorjes Wine Club (Warwick), www.everywine.co.uk

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

Glen Carlou, Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2006 Paarl 15.5 Drink 2007-08                                   
Rather obvious open nose. Sweet and rich and a bit obvious. Rather chewy with a raw streak. 13.5%

£14.49

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Oak Valley Chardonnay 2006 Elgin 17.5 Drink 2007-10  
Very well integrated wine – nothing out of balance. How horrid I was to criticise them for their name once! (It sounded so like a name that a marketing person would think up but in fact has been the name of this coolish climate farm for decades if not centuries.) Beautiful balance and vibrancy. Just everything in its right place. Well done! Lively with a citrus streak and very good oak integration – as one would expect from that name. Savoury. I’d love to see it blind with some burgundies. Not a silly price.  13.5%

£14.95

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, L'Art du Vin

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2006 Walker Bay 16++ Drink 2009-12                       
Mid gold. Seem very ripe on the nose - perhaps because they are chasing ripeness in this cool corner (whereas producers in the warmer vineyards of Stellenbosch are deliberately tryng to maximise acidity, etc)? Well integrated and correct but just a little sour. Very distinctive but I do wonder whether it would give lots of pleasure. Lots of acidity evident and not quite enough complexity. This may well improve enormously… as I indicate with those +s. 13%

£17.49

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Jeroboams, Philglas & Swiggot, www.everywine.co.uk, Wimbledon Wine Cellar

UK importer: Hallgarten Wines Ltd (T: 01582 722538)

Jordan, Nine Yards Chardonnay 2006 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2008-10                           
Nose still rather closed but nice balance. Bright fruit. Great balance actually, and admirably positive attack. Long. 14%

£18.99

100% Chardonnay

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Jeroboams (London), Rodney Densem Wines (Crew) Christopher Piper (Devon), Frank Stainton (Cumbria)

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

WHITE BLENDS

Kumkani Chardonnay/Viognier 2006 Stellenbosch 15.5 Drink 2008
A little dull on the nose and a bit sweet on the palate. The Viognier portion is mild to say the least. Perfectly fine and not too industrial but not exceptional, I feel. Good price though. 14%

£5.99

79% Chardonnay, 21% Viognier

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Various independents, SA Wines Online, www.everywine.com, www.capewineandfood.com

UK importer: The Company of Wine People (T: 02074181800)

Klein Constantia Estate, Mme Marlbrook 2006 Constantia 17 Drink 2008-10                           
The Sauvignon ingredient dominates the nose but there is more body than one might expect for a Sauvignon Blanc. Rich and round but with lots of lively acidity – a playful wine – rather wild-tasting. Not heavy with the slight suggestion of lemon oil. Again I’d like to see this alongside some white Graves. But this one is not underpriced! 13.5%

£15.00

60% Semillon, 37% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Muscat de Frontignan

Notes - this vintage available ex- UK in summer 2008. Current vintage is 2005

4.5 star rating

UK stockists (of 2005 vintage): Wimbledon Wine Cellars, Tanners, Quintessentially Wines, Portland Wine Company, SWIG, Halifax Wine Company.

UK importer: Metzendorff (T: 020 7840 3600)

Vergelegen White 2006 Stellenbosch 2006 18 Drink 2008-13
The opaquely named white counterpart of the 2001 red I may have tasted in ?Davos! Very dense and intriguing with already some richness along with the dry allure and really exciting citrus and oak notes. Must look to see if this was the vintage we tried at the mining tasting in Davos? Very well balanced. Lots of layers. Fermented cough drops in the nicest possible way.  Really vibrant and well balanced. 13%

£21.44

79% Semillon, 21% Sauvignon Blanc

5 star rating

UK stockists: Waitrose, Majestic, SA Wines Online, Swig, The Vine King (Reigate and Brighton), Wimbledon Wine Cellar

UK importer: Paragon Vintners (T: 0207 887 1800)

PINOT NOIR

Oak Valley Pinot Noir 2006 Elgin 2006 15.5 Drink 2008-10  
Not nearly as impressive as Oak Valley’s whites. Mid ruby. Sweet, rather jammy nose – served too warm unfortunately. Cooler bottle: Some very mature signs at the rim. Lightly jammy – very sweet. Not especially sophisticated. A rather simple drink. 14%

£21.95

100% Pinot Noir

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, Abbey Fine Wines

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006 Walker Bay 17.5 Drink 2008-11                  
Good earthy burgundian notes on the nose – even some mushrooms, good mushrooms. Violets – very lively and refreshing with real subtlety. Worth tasting by anyone who doubts that New World Pinot can be subtle. 14%

£22.99

100% Pinot Noir

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Jeroboams, Philglas & Swiggot, www.everywine.co.uk, SA Wines Online, Wimbledon Wine Cellar

UK importers: Hallgarten Wines Ltd (T: 01582 722538)

PINOTAGE

DeWaal, Top of the Hill Pinotage 2002 Stellenbosch 16.5 Drink 2005-09                                  
Deep crimson. Very spicy nose – complete. Only the merest hit of paint (the traditional besetting sin of South Africa’s own grape variety)! Lively but again served at rather too high a temperature to show its freshness. Certainly impressive concentration. 13.5%

£22.99

100% Pinotage

4.5 star rating for the 2003

UK stockists: Forth Wines Ltd, Scotland

UK importer: Forth Wines Ltd (T: 01577 866000)

Kaapzicht Estate, Steytler Pinotage 2004 Stellenbosch 15 Drink 2006-08            
Overripe aromas. Rather tarry on the palate. Chewy finish. A little hole in the middle. 14.5%

£19.99

100% Pinotage

4.5 star rating for an earlier vintage; this one got 4 stars

UK stockists: Hedley Wright (Bishops Storford), Great Grog (Edinburgh)

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Ashbourne Pinotage 2004 Walker Bay 16.5 Drink 2008-10
From Hamilton Russell. Glowing ruby. Pretty volatile but with very good tannin management and lots of alcohol evident. Well made, though quite expensive in a global context. 14%

£22.99

100% Pinotage

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Lewis & Cooper, Wine Library Ltd, Planet of the grapes, Olivers Beer & Wine ltd.

UK importer: Hallgarten Wines Ltd (T: 01582 722538)

Simonsig Estate, Redhill Pinotage 2005 Stellenbosch 16 Drink 2008-10
Sweet, chocolatey, slightly oaky nose. Not so obviously Pinotage as the other Pinotages in this selection. Cocoa powder and very easy to like even if not desperately fine. 15%

£11.99

100% Pinotage

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importer: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

CABERNET SAUVIGNON/BORDEAUX BLENDS

Mischa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Wellington 15.5 Drink 2007-09                                 
Crimson. Pretty volatile but intriguing. Sweet berries and some finesse and lift. A hint of oak tannins on the finish but pretty well put together. Just a little austere on the finish. 13.5%

£10.25

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

4.5 star rating

tUK stockists: Promotion Wine (Colchester), SA Wines Online, Great Grog (Edinburgh)

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Waterford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2006-12

Dark but with quite a bit of development at the rim. Ripe, well integrated nose – smells as though here is a comfortable wine to drink now. Very lively, fresh fruit – not too sweet or acid. Cassis in abundance, Interesting though. Well done! Great to be able to buy a wine as serious and well made as this that is ready to Drink. 13.5%
£15.00
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Berry Bros & Rudd

UK importer: Fields, Morris & Verdin (Berry Bros & Rudd) (T: 01256 340138)

Vergelegen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Stellenbosch 17++ Drink 2010-16
Very concentrated, dense fruit but with an attractive leafiness that makes it refreshing. Very opulent texture on the mid palate but with a certain French oak corset. Still extremely young. Lots of ripe velvety tannins and tea leaf flavours on the finish. The most youthful wine of this selection so far. 14.5% GV

£13.79

Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Merlot 7%, 8% Cabernet Franc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Majestic, SA Wines Online, Swig, Hailsham Cellars

UK importer: Paragon Vintners (T: 0207 887 1800)

Hartenberg Estate, The Mackenzie 2004 Stellenbosch 15 Drink 2007-09                       
Rich, round and spicy. A little awkward and green on the finish. Acidity sticks out. The opposite of mellow. Pretty dry tannins. I much preferred their Shiraz. 14.5%

£21.50

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Genesis Wines

UK importer: Genesis Wines Ltd. (T: 0207 9639 062)

Rustenberg, Peter Barlow 2004 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 17++ Drink 2010-16    
Blackish crimson. Strongly mineral nose – quite different from the fruit-dominated SA norm. Really interesting. Bone dry palate with pretty dry tannins but serious tarry interest. A certain ‘sucky stoney’ quality on the finish. Much less luscious than the Vergelegen – quite a different style. This arresting wine should age into something very good for food. 14.5% 

£22.99

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

4.5 star rating

Stockist: Lea and Sandeman Ltd, London

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Glen Carlou, Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Paarl 16 Drink 2009-14               
Cool, aromatic Cabernet. Slightly sweet and tarry and not as dense as a good Napa Valley Cabernet would be but very well made and with real interest. Just slightly spiky in terms of its acidity. 14%

£23.99

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Thelema, The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Stellenbosch 17.5 Drink 2008-13              
So called, this selection, because it tastes of mint. Actually not as obviously minty/eucalyptus as some Australian and Chilean examples but quite savoury and satisfying. Round on the palate, very delicate and lively. A gentle touch. Well done and not too ridiculously expensive for the quality. 14%

£19.99

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Durbanville Hills, Caapmans Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003 Durbanville 15.5 Drink 2006-08                    
Rather leafy and green on the nose. Chewy and definitely leafy on the palate. A little too much like hard work. A bit green and hollow. From virused vines? 13.5%

£13.99

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online

UK importer: Distell Europe (T: 020 8614 2720)

Buitenverwachting, Christine 2003 Constantia 17.5 Drink 2008-14
Very dark and burly-looking. Complex and dry and very bordelais, it has to be said. Extremely concentrated but because of extract and flavour rather than mere alcohol. Fine and really quite luscious without being over the top. Well done! Tannins fine but just a little dry. Manages very mellow texture without any cloying quality – quite fresh in fact. 14.5%

£15.99

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Cape food & Wine Middlesex, Churchill Vintners Birmingham, Wimbledon Wine Cellar, Abbey Wines, Swig, everywine.co.uk

UK importer: Berkmann Wine Cellars (T: 020 767 00 946)

Vergelegen Red 2003 Stellenbosch 17++ Drink 2010-16    
Development at the rim. Oxo savour on the nose. Grown up, complex wine that’s just a little less complex and more jagged than the Christine. Still very young and tight. Sucky stoney and less flesh than the Christine. Presumably made for the long term. The only Vergelegen wine in this selection that does not seem underpriced. 14.5%

£26.00

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Tesco, Majestic, SA Wines Online, Roberson Wine Merchants, Swig, Wimbledon Wine Cellar

UK importer: Paragon Vintners (T: 0207 887 1800)

Meinert, Devon Crest 2004 Stellenbosch 15.5 Drink 2008-11           
Low-key nose. Sweet and inky – quite mellow but a streak of green runs through this unfortunately. Not bad for the money but not one of the finest SA Bordeaux blends. Made by Martin Meinert, the M of the FMC Chenin Blanc above and once winemaker at Vergelegen. 14%

£10.95

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, Swig

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

Morgenhof Estate, Estate 2004 Stellenbosch 16 Drink 2008-12
Called Première Sélection in South Africa. Very rich and ripe and round. Sweet start. The tannins are a bit green – is this an oak seasoning issue? Just a bit jagged on the palate even though the ingredients are obviously admirable. 14%

£15.00

65% Cabernet, 25% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc

Note - listed as Morgenhof Premier Selection 2004 in the Platter Guide

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: McKinley Vintners

UK importer: McKinley Vintners (T: 020 7928 7300)

Jordan, Cobblers Hill 2004 Stellenbosch 15.5 Drink 2009-11
Some maturity at the rim. Hint of green on the nose. Pretty tart on the palate. 14.5%

£18.99

85% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Jeroboams (London), George Hill (Loughborough), Christopher Piper (Devon) Frank Stainton Wines (Cumbria)

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

Tokara Red 2004 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2007-12
Dark and glowing crimson. Sappy Lafite-like top quality oak on the nose – nicely understated. Fresh fruit, only medium weight and extremely drinkable, though not quite as settled as some of the old timers. 14.5%

£20–27

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Harrods, Brinkley wines, Hic Winemerchants, SA Wines Online

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Simonsig Estate, Tiara 2005 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2008-11
Fresh, mellow, reasonably appetising nose – a little sweet and heavy – but VGV. Definitely underpriced. Shall we tell them? 14%

£9.99

62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importers: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

Rustenberg, John X Merriman 2005 Stellenbosch 16.5 Drink 2009-12                            
Blackish crimson. Lead pencils and concentration and real integrity. Underpriced. Acidity a little obvious but a good drink for the money. 14.5% GV

£9.99

54% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Cab Franc, 3% Malbec

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Lea and Sandeman, London

UK importers: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Horse Mountain, Michele 2005 Voor-Paardeberg 16.5 Drink 2008-12
Round and full and velvety. Lots of alcohol and acidity. Needs a bit more in the middle. Dry tannins, almost hard work on the finish. Quite long. Certainly getting there. Lots of personality. 14.5%

£12.99

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Dorjes Wine Club (Warwick), Weavers of Nottingham, IM Wines (Croydon) SA Wines Online, www.everywine.co.uk

UK importers: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

OTHER CABERNET BLENDS

Kaapzicht Estate, Steytler Vision 2004 Stellenbosch 16.5 Drink 2010-15
Mellow, rich and round. Quite heady – a HUGE advance on the old Cape blends! A bit awkwardly acid on the finish but a very good effort. Already the element are pretty well integrated but it needs a little more time ideally. 14.5%                        
£19.99

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Pinotage, 10% Merlot

5 star rating

UK stockists: Hedley Wright (Bishops Stortford), SH Jones (Banbury)

Importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188) £19.99

Meinert, Synchronicity 2004 Stellenbosch 17- Drink 2007-10        
Smudgy look and taste – an attractive, fully mature blend ready to wallop now. Some spice and definite sweetness. Good balance – good to see Pinotage playing a positive role. 14%

£15.95

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Pinotage

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company, Selfridges

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

Flagstone, Mary Le Bow 2004 Western Cape 16++? Drink 2010-13                                         
Sweet oak and lots of oomph. Lots of tight acidity at the end, even a hint of green, but lots of fully ripe fruit at the beginning. Just not quite comfortable yet. Perhaps all it needs is more bottle age. It is certainly made with confidence. 15%

£17.99

Cabernet Sauvignon 59% Shiraz 19% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc 2%

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Tesco, The Wine Society

UK importer: Constellation Europe (T: 01483 690 000)

SHIRAZ/SYRAH

Rickety Bridge Shiraz 2003 Coastal Region 14.5 Drink 2006-08        
Based in Franschhoek, this winery has presumably blended in some fruit from elsewhere to judge from the official origin. It didn’t charm me, I’m afraid. Overripe nose. Thick and sweet at the beginning and uncomfortably acid on the finish. 14%

£13.95

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: www.Greatwineonline.co.uk 

UK importer: Great Wine UK (T: 01235 535 680)

Hartenberg Shiraz 2004 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2007-10                  
Attractive, leathery scent. Easy, gentle fruit that’s not trying too hard (cf the Hartenberg Cabernet above). Good price. Already drinking well. Could do with very, very slightly more earthiness perhaps but well made. 15% Quite GV.

£11.00

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Genesis Wines

UK importer: Genisis Wines Ltd (T: 0207 9639 062)

Kumkani, Triple J Shiraz 2004 Stellenbosch 15 Drink 2007-08             
Weak rim. Smudgy, sweet berry fruit on the nose – not especially Shiraz. Lots of acidity – not married and not an easy drink. 13.5%

£12.99

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Various independents, SA Wines Online, www.everywine.com, www.capewineandfood.com

UK importer: The Company of Wine People (T: 02074181800)

Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2004 Stellenbosch 17 Drink 2007-10           
Sweet and dense and glossy and recognisably Syrah (as opposed to Shiraz). Lots of pleasure – and alcohol! Very smooth with well integrated acidity and tannin. Great polish. 15% GV.

£13.99

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Abbey Wines (Scotland), Hennings vintners

UK importer: Colours of Africa (T: 07951 343 769)

Rustenberg Syrah 2004 Stellenbosch 16 Drink 2009-13
Fresh New World fruit, a little hot. With quite a bit acidity and tannin. I wonder how old the vines are? This wine doesn’t seem nearly as ‘settled’ as Rustenberg’s Cabernet. 14.5%

£14.99

100% Syrah

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Noel Young, Cambridge. Lea and Sandeman, London

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Syrah by Rudi Schultz (sic) 2005 Stellenbosch 15.5 Drink 2007-10
High toned and spicy. Very sweet – not very appetising really. One to admire rather than drink. All-out richness rather than refreshment. Very tarry, drying finish which does not linger. 15%

£10.99

100% Syrah

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Justerini & Brooks (www.justerinis.com)

UK importer: Diageo (T: 020 7208 2501)

Horse Mountain Shiraz 2005 Voor-Paardeberg 15 Drink 2009        
From an interesting area between Paarl and Swartland. Very dark crimson with some age at the rim. Sweet, spicy nose – not desperately intense (rather cheap-looking label). Too sweet, and aggressive in terms of acidity on the palate. Not subtle! Fine commercial stuff but not superior, I think. 14.5%

£11.99

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Peter Graham Wines (Norwich), Christopher Piper Wines (Devon) www.everywine.co.uk, SA Wines Online

UK importer: Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (T: 01780 755810)

Glen Carlou Syrah 2005 Paarl 16.5 Drink 2008-13   
Very dark crimson. Mild and malty on the nose. Very gentle with some savoury character. Really appetising. Slightly grainy texture and the alcohol stands out a bit but pretty good. 14.5%

£13.99

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Oddbins

UK importer: Enotria Winecellars Ltd (T: 020 8961 4411)

Simonsig Estate, Merindol Syrah 2005 Stellenbosch NA

Both bottles of this wine were too badly affected by TCA to be shown alas.                                 
£13.99

100% Shiraz

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importer: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

Homtini Shiraz/Viognier 2005 Paarl 16.5 Drink 2007-09               
From Anthony de Jager. Very dark, blackish. Bonfire aromas, interesting. Reminds me a bit of a good Douro table wine. Sweet start, very luscious - rather California - in its build. It certainly delivers pleasure. Does Michel Rolland consult here…??!! Dry finish suggests some wood tannis. Not that harmonious but certainly ambitious. 15%

£12.95

93% Shiraz   7% Viognier

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Great Western Wine Company

UK importer: Great Western Wine (T: 01225 322 800)

SWEET WINES

Alas I was going on to taste red wines elsewhere after this tasting and thought it unwise to bathe my palate in suagr and yet more alcohol beforehand, but I list details of these highly regarded South African sweet wines for your interest.

Paul Cluver, Noble Late Harvest 2006 Elgin 2006                              13% £9.99 for 37.5cl

100% Riesling, Botrytis affected

5 star rating

UK stockists: Laytons Wine Merchants, London

UK importer: Seckford Wine Agencies Ltd (T: 01206 231188)

Villiera, Inspiration Late Harvest 2006 Stellenbosch                       
12.5% £9.99

100% Chenin Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Tesco

UK importer: Crush Wines Ltd (T: 01249 811 737)

Kanu, Kia-Ora Noble Late Harvest 2004 Stellenbosch                        12% £10.49

93% Chenin Blanc, 17% Harslevelu

Note – 600 bottles for UK market

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: Cape food & Wine Middlesex, Direct Wine Imports Guernsey, Hailsham Cellars East Sussex

UK importer: Berkmann Wine Cellars (T: 020 767 00 946)

Simonsig Estate, Vin de Liza Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2006 Stellenbosch

12.5% £10.99

52% Semillon, 48% Chenin Blanc

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Halifax Wine Co, www.grapeland.co.uk, Cape Province Wines, Cape Wine and Food

UK importer: Chalié Richards & Co Ltd (T: 0845 850 4405)

Klein Constantia Estate, Vin de Constance 2002 Constantia
13% £28.00 for 50cl

100% Muscat de Frontignan

4.5 star rating

UK stockists: SA Wines Online, Waitrose, SWIG, Harvey Nichols, Tanners, Fortnum & Mason

UK importer: Metzendorff (T: 020 7840 3600)

COMMENT

From Stewart Prentice:
The article by Jancis Robonson is heart-warming. Why is it that most everyone else in the wine world seems to know the value of South African wine (expressed as both quality and value for money), and yet we spend our time bickering more about price/virus/exotic chemical faults and not enough on our good fortune to have such enjoyable wines available for everyday consumption?
 

Here's a link to another set of tasting notes from this London tasting of Platter high-scorers, from wine writer and educator Paul Howard