It is not easy to successfully sell imported wines in South Africa and Caroline Fines has for a long time been one of the few to pull off this feat. But her review on the 31 first of July at the plush Table Bay Hotel brought some of the finest offerings of red wine on offer. Each producer could present only what they thought to be their finest red wine. Here we sampled local wines as opposed to the countless fine imported wines that Caroline tirelessly brings in. Showing-casing them at her countless, highly professional tastings.
I arrived early hoping to avoid the mad rush but when I arrived at 5 pm it was already bustling. I could only taste 20 of the wines on offer as by seven my palate suddenly deserted me. There seemed no point in pushing my saturated palate. Below are my tasting notes:
The Cape Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2012 was pale ruby with the nose shy and the palate dry. This wine is a slow starter so don’t read too much into my tasting notes.
Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend
The Ernie Els Proprietor’s Blend 2011 was even ruby with a nose of perfumed cherries and black fruits with lovely dry tannins and very elegant.
The Creation Pinot Noir 2012 was pale ruby with a shy nose. The palate light with plenty of forest floor, spice and dark cherries. A producer on the up this is a wine to look out for.
The Crystallum Cuvee Cinema Pinot Noir 2012 was even garnet with nose shy but perfumed. Tight, light, supple and delicious. There were some many fine Pinot Noirs on offer on the evening and this was one of them.
Groot Constantia’s Gouverneurs Red (a Bordeaux Blend) was deep garnet. Cassis and pencil on the nose, made from mainly Cab Franc it had a lovely mouth feel and was rich and creamy. One of the show stoppers of the evening.
Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 2012 was pale ruby with nose shy. Lots of forest fruits and red berries on the nose, however, with a lovely and silky palate. Affirming Hamilton Russell as one of SA’s perennial top Pinot producers.
Hartenberg’s Gravel Hill Shiraz 2008 reaffirmed the fine status of this wine as one of South Africa’s top Shiraz. Deeply coloured with a nose of inky fruits and fine tannins. It is richly flavoured.
The Kanonkop Pinotage 2003 is deep garnet with crushed fruits. The palate full and fresh for a ten year old wine. It shows the longevity of Kanonkop wines, their commitment to long maturation potential and their mastery of the Pinotage varietal.
Now we come to a pair of neighbours. Tokara’s Director’s Reserve Red 2009 is even garnet with the nose spicy. The nose spicy with a rich rounded palate and very flavorsome.
Thelema Rabelais
Next door Thelema’s Rabelais 2009 (a Bordeaux Blend) expresses an entirely different character. Deep ruby, more inky black with lovely concentrated flavours of blackcurrants and sweet red fruits. A more classical, expression than the Tokara offering.
Meerlust’s famous Rubicon 2008. Deep garnet. On the nose ripe fruits with the palate tight and strong tannins.
The Luddite Shiraz 2009. Deep garnet. Nose brooding. Lovely ripe fruit on the palate with tannins present. A beautiful and accessible expression of CapeShiraz.
Morgenster
Morgenster 2001. Deep garnet. Nose spice, ripe plums and sensuous palate. One of the top wines of the evening and a fine wine.
Mullineux Syrah 2011. Pale ruby. Creamy nose and palate light.
Now onto two stellar Pinots from Elgin.
OakValley Pinot Noir 2012. Pale garnet. Forest floors and black cherries on the nose. Delicious on the palate with dry tannins and red fruits.
The Paul Cluver Seven Flags Pinot Noir 2010. Pale garnet. Nose brooding with sour cherries. Equally delicious on the palate.
De Trafford Syrah 393 2010. Deeply coloured. Nose of cream and cassis. Palate, classical and tight.
Finally, the Bouchard Finlayson Tete De Cuvee Pinot Noir 2010. Pale garnet. Nose shy. But very rich and explosive on the palate.
All in all the wines were of a very high standard. There was not one poor wine. We saw some exciting wines particularly in the Pinot Noirs, Bordeaux blends and Shiraz. A special mention must be made for the Kanonkop Pinotage as it shows the quality of this varietal and its potential for bottle maturation. Caroline put on a show with her usual professional aplomb. I was only sorry that I could not taste the entire range.
