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woman on wine with amy reileyLast month I took a trip to the Winelands of South Africa—my first! Before I left on my ‘round the world journey, everyone I knew who knew anything about wine (including my colleagues in the wine industry), told me to bring home some Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. And that seems to be the extent of the American knowledge of South African wine. |
But on my trip, I met with more than half a dozen vintners, sipped many more wines with meals and tasted a grand total of 2 Pinotages and 0 Chenins. Turns out, it is not Chenin nor Pinotage in which South Africa truly excels but Sauvignon Blanc and, increasingly, Chardonnay and as well as Cabs and Cabernet blends (and a few exceptional Syrahs and Pinot Noirs). Here are a few of my favorite discoveries.
Boekenhoutskloof
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a big boy! (Not really ready to drink but an investment that will be worth the wait.) A beautifully-structured wine, it offer an incredible complexity of flavors from sweet, red bell pepper to black pepper to tart red berries with hints of espresso on the finish.
Cape Point Vineyards
2009 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
This wine has inspired me, for the first time since starting this column, to become a tease. Not yet available in the U.S., this Sauvignon Blanc is easily one of South African’s finest wines with its great body and depth, hints of gooseberry, kiwi and cut hay. But don’t fret! Plans are under way to bring this showstopper to North American shores sometime this year.
Chamonix
Reserve Chardonnay
Although I personally I prefer the winery’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, I find this Reserve Chardonnay, from what is easily one of South Africa’s finest wineries to be a wine America can really grab onto and lovingly lap up. This Chard walks the line between Burgundy and California with both refinement and body. Yum.
Rietvallei Wine Estate
Estéanna
A sexy yet feminine wine, this is one of South Africa’s up-and-coming Bordeaux blends. The aroma, one for the ladies, is of—no kidding—chocolate brownie batter. In the mouth there are raspberries and rose petals Its’ flavors are a complex blend of rose buds, with soft tannins and a hint of that chocolate on the finish.
Thelema Mountain Vineyards
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Although its aromas are a slightly disjointed combination of blackberry, eucalyptus, leather and tar, in the mouth this Cab is a delight. Its structure is impeccable with medium tannins and tart, juicy fruit. Adding dimension is a mere hint of espresso on the finish.
