2007 Raka Sangiovese (S.Africa -Klein Rivier) R70 (RM31) -lighter colored than most south african reds -tasting reveals firm yet balanced tannins (further maceration to extract colour would probably result in a wine too tannic) with restrained fruit slowly bursting forth. A match made in heaven for the eisbein (german roasted pork knuckle) I was having at lunch given its serious acidity (not an acidic wine). This platter (popular S.African wine handbook) 3star wine delivered more than it promised leaving this wine lover with a smile on his face and an almost empty bottle. 11 hrs later - fruit gone leading me to conclude that this is not one for more than 5 years in the cellar. Stellar food wine though.

21 - 23 June 2009

Sipping a Boplaas 2006 Cape Vintage Port and trying (hard) to recall the wines I enjoyed with Doc (best friend who also insists I use capital letters in my blog) in Rwanda between 21st and 23rd June.

nv Paolo Scavino Vino de Tavola Rosso (Piedmonte, Italy) R95 (RM41) -pleasant cherry fruit over somewhat dryish tannin. food friendly too but noted bottle variation -earlier bottled showed less fruit.

2006 (I think) Rijks (pronounced reeks) Pinotage (S.Africa) R143 (RM63) -somewhat lighter and less complex than previously tasted vintages but enjoyable all the same

2006 Raka shiraz (S.Africa) about R80 (RM35) -plush but simple

2005 (I think) Raka quinary (S.Africa) about R80 (RM35) -nice structure and complexity

2007 Rietvallei Estate Red Muscadel (S.Africa) R60 (RM26) -sweet fortified, lady friendly. chuck in some crushed ice for a great sundowner. From memory, somewhat lower in acidity compared to 2002 vintage but complaints should not to be entertained at that price.

2007 Spier Chenin Blanc (S.Africa) about R70 (RM31) -did not live up to expectation -an icon fallen from grace? -hopefully just a glitch in a single vintage -lacks depth with attempted cover up using oak (my opinion)

29.6.2009
2006 Boplaas Cape Vintage Port (S.Africa) about R70 (RM31) -well balanced but still youthful and shy, this Platter (popular S.African wine handbook) 5star fortified is a fine example of a S.African port (more subtle and less complex than the Portuguese, and one fifth the price). While I find the 2006 more elegant, I think I preferred the 2005 and 4 which I thought had more caracter. Retasted next day; drinking much better with expressive and long palate showing some layering of flavours as well as softer tannins.

19 June 2009

yesterday's wines:
06 Quoin Rock merlot, S.Africa -the plush fruit coupled with almost lavish use of oak masked the 15% alcohol of this great wine. R200 (RM88) at restaurant overlooking beautiful african bushland ..........................almost heaven
06 Boplaas shiraz, S.Africa. R60 (RM26). elegant, southern rhone-like, slowly revealing white pepper notes. great food wine at unbeatable price
06 Hamilton Russel pinot noir, Hemel-en-arde, S.Africa -oxidised notes probably from heat damage
06 Durbanville Hills merlot, Paarl, S.Africa great for price

In Johannesburg, South Africa. 2005 d. comte georges de vogue chambolle musigny (village) accompanied wild mushroom risotto and 2 great friends for lunch. Also present was a 2000 chateau de pibarnon from bandol. venue/restaurant -thomas maxwell.

dark and oppulent, the burgundy unleashed its heady wrath on us unsuspecting wine-buffs. The bandol was slower to open and took 2 hours in a decanter before revealing its entire breadth and complexity with lovely plum notes and structure typical for a mouverdre based wine.

Dinner was a 2005 domaine du pegau, cuvee reservee CdP with some lovely fillet steak. Lovely balance and complexity, slowly revealing its richness and white pepper nuances.