South Africa Month
First published 23rd September 2017
Exciting things have been afoot in South Africa during the last few years and right now, we believe it's the most exciting wine producing Country in the world. Winemakers in the Cape are producing world class wines, in a tremendous variety of styles at a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere. Whether you're looking for a Chenin Blanc or classic Bordeaux style blend, South Africa has you sorted. So here are a few of our favourites.
Sijnn Touriga Nacional
Based at the mouth of the Breede River in Malgas, Sijnn is a project by winemaker David Trafford. More often found in the Douro valley, the cooler climate in Malgas allows the Touriga Nacional to really sing. On the nose the wine has deep red berry aromas with lifted notes of thyme and lavender, a subtle earthiness and liquorice. In the mouth the wine has a rich palate with concentrated red fruit, sweet spice and a herbal complexity. This is a revelation if your only experience of Touriga Nacional has been in big, heavy Douro blends or Port. The cooler climate allows the fresher, more aromatic side of the grape to shine.
Beaumont Hope Marguerite
Hope Marguerite is the flagship white from Beaumont and is made from old vine Chenin Blanc carefully selected from 40 year old vineyards. The wine is fermented in 400 litre French oak, and matured on its lees for 18 months before bottling. The wine displays notes of ripe stone fruit, candied orange peel, floral aromas and a touch of honey on the nose. Fresh on the palate, with the lees contact adding weight and complexity, the fruit is concentrated with a subtle toastiness. A stunning wine from one of our favourite producers, this is a benchmark South African Chenin.
Chamonix Troika
A Cabernet Franc heavy Bordeaux blend from Franschhoek based producer Chamonix. The grapes are grown in one of the highest altitude vineyards in the Cape winelands. A deep mulberry colour with aromas of black cherries, cassis, mint and sweet spice. The wine is well structured, full and round in the mouth with deep black fruit, supple tannins and long finish. Fantastic value for a wine of this quality.
Reyneke Reserve White
A stunning Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch producers Reyneke, this wine is Loire like in depth and complexity. The Reserve White is whole bunch pressed and undergoes barrel fermentation before spending 12 months in barrique on its lees. The wine displays aromas of white peach, gooseberry, and a flinty minerality on the nose. It's rich and textured in the mouth with taut acidity and powerful fruit concentration. This is a serious bottle of Sauvignon with tons of character.