Graham Beck Bowed Head Chenin Blanc 2010, Wo Paarl, South Africa

This wine is a blend of 100% Chenin Blanc, from low yielding old bush vines (41-47 years old), after barrel fermentation the wine was matured in French oak for eight months (combination of 1^st to 3^rd fill) and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.

This wine is a bright yellow gold and opened up with aromas of pineapple, peach, caramel, honey and hints of spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with a creamy and slightly sweet and ripe flavours of tropical fruit with a honeyed textured and crisp acidity. This Chenin Blanc finish is long with a mouth coating sweetness and a citrus refreshing ending. Very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased February 2, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (231357) at $18.95  

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2009, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bordeaux meets South Africa in this red blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Maturation taking place in 225L French oak (60% new and 40% 2^nd fill) for 18 months, a variety of cultured yeasts were used, a light fining and filtration was applied just before bottling and alcohol comes in at 13.5%.

An interesting bouquet to be sure, with aromas of blackberry, dark plum, blackcurrant, dried mushroom, tobacco leaf, vanilla, toast, gamey and a hint of barnyard. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied with a silky smooth texture, balanced acidity and soft tannins. Medium length on the finish with soft seductive fruit, farmy/leathery character lingering.

These wine descriptors are not usually associated with this kind of blend, the earthy funk and the soft maturing character of this wine leads me to believe that Brettanomyces or Bret (a wine fault) is at play here. In moderation, Bret can add complexity and give the wine a more mature feel in a young wine but when out of control the wine would be clearly undrinkable. For me, the level of Bret gives me quite an oral experience which I find charming. So is the finish, very smooth and soft, almost too easy to drink. In the end the bottle was empty way to fast and I quite enjoyed it. Score 88 points.

Purchased December 28, 2012 at the SAQ (10678384) at $22.95

Rust en Vrede Estate 2007, Wo Stellenbosh, Stellenbosh, South Africa

Since 1981, Rust en Vrede has been making red wine only and there Estate wine is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz and 9% Merlot. Maturation took place in 50% French and 50% American oak for 23 months, blending took place 3 weeks before bottling. A further 18 months in bottle before release with alcohol coming in at 15%.

 

The strong Cabernet component comes through on the nose with lovely aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis, pine needles, wood spices, smoke and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with great flavours of black fruit, coffee and savoury spices, light acidity, rounded tannins but hot from the alcohol. Decent length on the finish, great flavours initially but then again, the hot alcohol quitly kills the flavours.  There is no doubt that there is a lot of effort that went into making this wine; I just wish the alcohol wasn’t over the top. It makes this wine a little un-balance.  I strongly recommend decanting for at least one hour before serving. I was left a bit disappointed, was expecting much better. Score 89 points.

Purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release (997742) at $37.95    

De Toren Z 2008, Wo Stellenbosch, South Africa

 

This wine is a blend of all five Bordeaux grapes; 45% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot, maturation took place in 225L French and American oak for 12 months (only American oak is use for the Malbec), alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, violets, herbs and pepper. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, dark and concentrated flavours, firm texture, slightly rustic with good acidity and grainy tannins.  This blends finish is long with lots of oak spices and smoky characteristics. De Toren Z is not as memorable has there Fusion V which is more elegant and complex, I would have liked a little less toasty oak but Z is still quite pleasant, score 89 points.

Purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release (178194) at $32.95

Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Swartland, South Africa

 

This wine is a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, maturation taking place in French oak casks for 24 months, of those 18 months on the lees, alcohol coming in 14.5%. Curiously pale red in color for a Rhône blend and 24 months in oak, this wine opens up with aromas of red fruit (plum and raspberry), violet, licorice, spices and a slight medicinal note. On the mouthfeel, light to medium bodied (in texture) but hot alcohol and not enough fruit or tannins to give this wine any structure. This blends finish is short, unpleasant with tart and slightly bitter flavours.  Everything about this wine is odd, from the color, to the clear glass bottle, the short agglomerate wine corks (you think that you would want to use a natural wine cork for a wine at this price). For me this wine tasted like an alcoholic Kool-Aid and at this price ($29.95) a robbery. Not recommended, score 78 points

 

Purchased May 26, 2012 LCBO New Release at $29.95

Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010, Elgin, South Africa

A lovely barrel fermented Chardonnay (French oak, 45% new) with a very inviting bouquet of citrus, lemon-lime fruit, apple, light smoke, nutty and spicy notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, fresh acidity, well handle oak treatment with creamy ripe fruit covering the palate. Good weight and length on the finish with layers of creamy richness. This is an intensely flavourful, very enjoyable, well made Chardonnay and strongly recommended. Score 91 points. 

Purchased June 9, 2012 LCBO New Release (277939) at $21.95 

Spice Route Shiraz 2009, Swartland, South Africa

Great aromatics on this Shiraz with aromas of black plum, wild strawberry, prune, black pepper, clove, smoky and vanilla notes. On the palate, full bodied with alcohol at 15%, rich and concentrated flavours. well structured by lively acidity and elegant tannin structure. Very good length on the finish, rich and creamy texture and flavours of spice plums and cedar flavours lingering. Maturation took place  in (approx) 30% new French oak for 18 months, the wine was bottled unfiltered. This wine has lots of everything but no excess and not likely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, score 91 points. 


Purchased March 17, 2012 LCBO New Release (263657) at $24.95

Amani Chardonnay 2009, Stellenbosh, South Africa

Produced from 100% Chardonnay, the wine is kept on the lees for 9-11 months without batonnage, maturation took place in French oak, 16% in new oak for 10 months and alcohol came in at 13.5%. This Chardonnay is very fragrant on the nose with aromas of pineapple, peach, lime, minerals and sweet butterscotch. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, refreshing acidity, well integrated oak and rich, creamy texture. Good weight and length on the finish with tropical fruit, toasty oak and spices, notes lingering. From start to finish, this is a very enjoyable and elegant Chardonnay and a great value. Score 90 points. 

Purchased November 26, 2011 LCBO New Release (687442) at $17.95

Muratie Shiraz 2007, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This wine arrives somewhere between a Rhône Syrah and Australian Shiraz, with aromas of black fruit, cocoa, tobacco, spices, meaty and floral notes.  This medium to full bodied Shiraz mouthfeel is rich, dry, intense with concentrated flavours, lively acidity and smooth ripe tannins. This wine finish is long with excellent depth of flavours, savoury and meaty style of Shiraz. On a more technical note, this wine is 100% Shiraz, aging took place in 90% French oak and 10% American oak with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. I am no longer surprised by the quality of South African wines around the $25.00 price range. Very enjoyable and strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased February 4, 2012 LCBO New Release (663278) at $24.95

Morgenhof Chenin Blanc 2010 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa

This wine is a product of 100% Chenin Blanc grapes from old vines, maturation took place for 10 months in French oak with alcohol coming in at 14%. Attractive and complex bouquet of apple, grapefruit, lemon zest, honey, floral and herbaceous notes. On the palate, medium body, more citrus flavour than sweet fruit flavour and lively acidity. The finish is long, refreshing with citrus fruit and a touch of honey which makes it almost creamy. Very enjoyable and good value, score 88 points.

This wine was purchased January 21, 2012 LCBO New Release at $16.95

Lammershoek Roulette 2007, Swartland, South Africa

One of the great wine surprises last year for me was the Lammershoek Roulette 2006. A product which I had never tried before and it blew me away, how beautiful this Rhône blend was. The 2007 vintage of Lammershoek Roulette is just as enjoyable, although the blend is very different, less Syrah and more Carignan and Grenache. The 2007 vintage is a blend of 48% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier, with grapes that are all organically grown.  On the nose this wine opens up with ripe red fruit, plums, spices, cedar and floral notes. On the palate, medium bodied (14.5% alc,), youthful with bright flavours, spicy, fresh acidity and silky well integrated tannins. This wine has excellent balance, with great aromatics, very tasty and a savoury style red blend. Great winemaking at play here, strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO In-store Discoveries at $23.95

Mullineux Syrah 2008, Swartland, South Africa

A gorgeous Syrah which should appeal to New and Old world wine lovers alike. Deep ruby, almost opaque in colour with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violet, bacon, clove and earthy. Full bodied mouthfeel with fresh acidity, firm tannins with great depth. The finish is long chewy with great power and rich concentrated flavours. Maturation took place in French oak, 15% of it new. This wine is unfiltered and unfined and alcohol is at 14.5%. Drinking well now with red meat or laying it down for 2-3 years to let all the components of this wine to come together will reward you with an even better experience.

This wine was purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release at $28.95.

Lammershoek Roulette 2006, Swartland, South Africa

Roulette is a Rhone style blend of 62% Shiraz, 20% Carignan, 13% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre, 1% Viognier. This blend has wonderful aromatics with bright red fruit, plums, sweet spices, cassis, licorice and a hint of floral tone. This medium to full bodied wine has it all  together with lively acidity quality tannins which are now well integrated and layers upon layers of flavours. This finish is long, spicy, toasty with  crushed berry fruit. A great deal of skill and effort went into making this wine and it shows. What I like about this wine is its easy drinking and aromatic, which has great complexity and flavour. A fantastic value. It should have wide appeal, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release at $ 23.95. 

Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2006, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This Bordeaux blend from South Africa (Cabernet Sauvignon 82%, Petit Verdot 10%and Merlot 8%) has incredible aromatics. Just inhalingthis wine I knew this would be something special. On the nose I get blackberry, black currant, cassis, cedar and Christmas cake spices. The aromas follow through beautifully onto the palate, full body, balance acidity and well integrated tannins. The finish is long with freshly roasted coffee, earthy and classic cedar notes. Stylish and very classy wine here.

This wine was purchased on October 16, 2010 LCBO New Release at $ 26.95.

Vilafonté Series M 2006, Paarl, South Africa

This Bordeaux blend from South Africa (Cabernet Sauvignon 43%, Merlot 39%, Malbec 15% and Cabernet Franc 3%) opens up with blueberry, cherry, black currant and tobacco on the nose. I get smooth Merlot on the nose even if there is slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon. Powerful and rich flavours on the palate, this full body wine has lively acidity and muscular tannins. The finish is long, with roasted coffee, savoury flavours and grainy tannins. What I like the most about this South African wine is the mouth feel, its big, rich and smooth almost California texture but with better acidity. Very enjoyable wine.

This wine was purchased on April 2, 2011 LCBO New Release at $39.95