Response to “South African Wines”

By xander on September 20, 2013

Line of the night (in reference to Wolftrap 2011): “I like this wine about as much as I like apartheid.”

1.
Varietal: Chenin Blanc.
Producer: Man
Year: 2012
Region: Coastal Region
Link: http://www.snooth.com/wine/man-vinters-chenin-blanc-2012-1/

Nose:
Buttery, a bit minerally, lemon scented detergent
Feels like it should have the word “blanc” at the end
Herbal, burnt

Palate:
Bland, alcoholy
Creamy
Most of the acid is in the swallow
Flabby, lack of structure
Not enjoyable (group consensus)
13.5% ABV
$8.99

2:
Varietal: Chenin Blanc.
Producer: Simonsig
Year: 2012
Region: Stellenbosch
Link: http://www.wine.co.za/Directory/wine.aspx?WINEID=31457

Nose:
Sulfur, paint thinner, chemically
Floral before chemical onslaught
Tropical component, possibly papaya, pineapple, piña colada
Woody, toasty, botanical
Lemon citrus

Palate:
Hot at end, poor finish that’s overly sour
Acid is present but out of whack
A touch of petrol in the beginning
Ripe, fruit forward
Salty
Group consensus: enjoyed this more than first chenin blanc, but still not very enjoyable.
$12.99

3.
Varietal: Pinotage.
Producer: Villiera, bottled by Grier family
Year: 2007
Region: Stellenbosch
Link: http://www.southernwines.com/villiera-pinotage-2007/wine-online.cfm

Nose:
Smokey, beef jerkey, cured meats
Peaty, barbeque sauce
Cayenne pepper
Licorice, anise
Currants
Velvety, oaky
Smoked gouda
Prunes, olives at beginning (shakes off some)
Fresh can of tennis balls
Smell continues to change

Palate:
Smoked parika
Bitter
A touch of powdery tannins
Chemically
Sour, unpleasant finish
Overly smokey
Pair with a slim jim
Consensus was that this was an usual representation of a pinotage that missed the characteristic smoked tire/rubber and copper penny components
$16.99

4.

Varietal: Chardonnay.
Producer: Indaba
Year: 2011
Region: South Africa
Link: http://www.snooth.com/wine/indaba-chardonnay-2011-1/

Nose:
Woody
Pineapple creamsickle
Hospital ward
Alcoholy
Many characteristics on nose seem to be coming from the oak

Palate:
“Water that someone who had just drank chardonnay spit in”
Unpleasant, over oaked, nothing happening
I didn’t get much more notes on this wine because everyone had more or less poured it out after the first sip or two.  Very unpleasant on the palate (to me).

5.
Varietal: Tinta Barocca.
Producer: Treinspoor
Year: 2011
Region: Malmsebury
Link: http://www.southernwines.com/sadie-family-treinspoor-2011/wine-online.cfm

Nose:
Melted butter, caramel popcorn
Roses, tulips
Molasses
Hibiscus, black currants
very sour

Palate:
Dark chocolate
Inky, black fruit
Fruit is a touch sour to be pleasant, but may be because wine is young
Green, black pepper
Stiff, angular tannins
Strong acid finish
14.5% ABV
$40

6.
Varietal: Syrah 61%, Cinsaut 16%, Mourvèdre 12%, Grenache 5%, Carignan 4%, Petite Sirah 2%
Producer: Goats do Roam
Year: 2011
Region: South Africa
Link: http://www.wine.com/V6/Goats-do-Roam-Red-2011/wine/116047/detail.aspx

Nose:
Kush
Skunk
Wet carpet
Plum, pomegranate, frambois
Burnt rubber band
Graphite, chalk

Palate:
Overly juicy, but drinkable
Rootbeer barrels (hard candy)
Bitter dark chocolate aftertaste
Powdery tannins
ABV: 14.0%
$9.99

7.
Varietal: 65% Syrah, 32% Mourvedre, 3% Viognier
Producer: Wolftrap
Year: 2011 (I think, forgot to write this down)
Region: South Africa
Link: http://www.wine.com/V6/Boekenhoutskloof-The-Wolftrap-2011/wine/115552/detail.aspx

Nose:
Potpourri, dried soap, lavendar
Dried blueberries

Palate:
Raspberry jam
Structure completely nonexistent
Line of the night: “I like this wine about as much as I like apartheid.”
ABV: 14.5%
$10

8.
Varietal: Bordeaux blend – 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petite verdot, 16% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Producer: Glen Carlou
Year: 2009
Region: Paarl
Link: http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1089398

Nose:
Eucalyptus, herbaceous, wintergreen
Green pepper
Touch of acetone/expo marker
Black licorice

Palate:
A bit sour
Weak but present tannins
Green peppers
Candied blackberry fruit
Palate does not reflect nose – smelled like a Bordeaux, but too juicy and fruity

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