This Syrah unquestionably falls into the massive/extracted category. Purple in colour, it pushes 16% alcohol, and even though 50% new oak was used, it has been properly absorbed. The wine coats the mouth with glycerin as well as sweet plum, cherry, vanilla, raspberry, violets, vanilla, earth, spice and cocoa flavours. There is more than enough tannins to take it 10-plus years. Lovers of Aussie Shiraz will go gaga over this South African icon!
This Chenin Blanc, year in, year out, is a stalwart standard of quality. This vintage spent 9 months in oak, producing lovely balance between the wood and fruit. Fresh apple, honey, pear, peach, wet wool, spice, flowers and cream are all layered on a medium-bodied frame. There is ample length and refreshing acid, which rounds out the package.
KWV’s Chardonnay offers serious bang for the buck! Peach, white flowers, honey, fig, anise and bubble gum/tutti frutti are all on the nose. The palate reveals more bubble gum as well as apple, pineapple and citrus. There is crisp acidity, very good length and a slight creaminess.
This Chardonnay was aged and fermented in new French barrels. This has created a medium- to full-bodied mix of peach, pineapple, fig, honey, toast, cream, anise and white flowers. There is excellent length and just the right amount of acidity required for food-friendliness. Pair with filet of halibut or Chilean sea bass.
The name says it all. Expect a coffee-bean flavour in this medium-bodied Pinotage with its smoky, minerally blackberry nose and that characteristic tarry, coffee-bean taste. Not for all palates, but if you like Pinotage this offers good value.
This bargain-priced Syrah from the warm, dry Swartland region is dense purple-black in colour. It has a smoky nose of blackberries and roasted herbs, reminding me of a Syrah from the northern Rhône with its savoury, smoky black-cherry flavour, well-integrated oak and soft tannins.
The blend of these Rhône grapes produces a deep ruby-coloured wine with a nose of blackberries and black olives. The full-bodied savoury taste of blackberries with an iodine note fills the mouth.