Newsletter KRP Introduces the Gabriel Collective Range of Artisan Beers! The beer giants have forgotten how to be passionate about beer. In our quest for real beer with more substance and authenticity, we have challenged ourselves to find some of Europe’s oldest family-run breweries in our search of artisan-produced beers that we are not only proud to produce for our customers, but love to drink ourselves We work hand-in-hand with different brewmasters to develop the finest, authentic lagers and ales, and bring them to the table. We don’t believe we can single-handedly change the world of beer as it exists, but with a little raw passion, blind optimism and reckless resolve, we can perhaps make a difference. Unfiltered Lager A mass market brewery simply could not make a beer like this. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and bursting with flavour, it has phenomenal body and frshness. Hazy to the eye, and full on the palate 5% abv. 6 week brewing time Bavarian Wheat Delicate, smooth and creamy, our wheat beer is a true and traditional unfiltered Bavarian weiss. Our signature yeast is gloriously expressed in intriguing aromas of vanilla and clove. Liquid velvet... 5% abv. 8 week brewing time Unfiltered Amber Our unfiltered amber lager is an old, rare and rather unique German beer style. Wholesome and buttery, with toasty, bready malts and hints of caramel and toffee 5% abv. 8 week brewing time Dark Lager Very drinkable, dry and beautifully hopped, yet rich and complex and loaded with dark roasted malt flavour. Smooth, relatively light in body, but bursting with character. 5% abv. 8 week brewing time The Eternal Question: Blonde or Brunette? Touro Tripel Blonde Touro Tripel Blonde is wickedly rich, strong blonde ale with a creamy palate and a fruity, spicy, malt flavour. Huge and complex, this golden beauty is brewed with three times the normal amount of barley and is refermented in the bottle. Big enough for bold dishes, but elegant enough for refined tastes, its’ initial sweetness is deftly balanced by a low hop bitterness. More-ish... Touro Tripel Amber Touro Tripel Amber is a beautifully balanced strong amber ale, with honeyed malt aroma, hints of vanilla and caramel, and a gentle hop dryness. Brewed with three times the normal amount of barley and refermented in the bottle. Dangerously drinkable! 10% abv. Brewed in Belgium with barley, yeast, hops and water. October 2010 UNFILTERED LAGER BAVARIAN WHEAT UNFILTERED AMBER DARK LAGER TOURO TRIPEL AMBER TOURO TRIPEL BLONDE
Transcript
Newsletter
KRP Introduces the Gabriel Collective Range of Artisan Beers!
The beer giants have forgotten how to be passionate about beer. In our quest for real beer with more substance and authenticity, we have challenged ourselves to find some of Europe’s oldest family-run breweries in our search of artisan-produced beers that we are not only proud to produce for our customers, but love to drink ourselves We work hand-in-hand with different brewmasters to develop the finest, authentic lagers and ales, and bring them to the table. We don’t believe we can single-handedly change the world of beer as it exists, but with a little raw passion, blind optimism and reckless resolve, we can perhaps make a difference.
Unfiltered Lager A mass market brewery simply could not make a beer like this. Unfiltered, unpasteurized, and bursting with flavour, it has phenomenal body and frshness. Hazy to the eye, and full on the palate 5% abv. 6 week brewing time
Bavarian Wheat Delicate, smooth and creamy, our wheat beer is a true and traditional unfiltered Bavarian weiss. Our signature yeast is gloriously expressed in intriguing aromas of vanilla and clove. Liquid velvet... 5% abv. 8 week brewing time
Unfiltered Amber Our unfiltered amber lager is an old, rare and rather unique German beer style. Wholesome and buttery, with toasty, bready malts and hints of caramel and toffee 5% abv. 8 week brewing time
Dark Lager Very drinkable, dry and beautifully hopped, yet rich and complex and loaded with dark roasted malt flavour. Smooth, relatively light in body, but bursting with character. 5% abv. 8 week brewing time
The Eternal Question: Blonde or Brunette?
Touro Tripel Blonde Touro Tripel Blonde is wickedly rich, strong blonde ale with a creamy palate and a fruity, spicy, malt flavour. Huge and complex, this golden beauty is brewed with three times the normal amount of barley and is refermented in the bottle. Big enough for bold dishes, but elegant enough for refined tastes, its’ initial sweetness is deftly balanced by a low hop bitterness. More-ish...
Touro Tripel Amber Touro Tripel Amber is a beautifully balanced strong amber ale, with honeyed malt aroma, hints of vanilla and caramel, and a gentle hop dryness. Brewed with three times the normal amount of barley and refermented in the bottle. Dangerously drinkable!
10% abv. Brewed in Belgium with barley, yeast, hops and water.
Domaine de Canton Ginger liqueur was inspired by the French tradition in which sweet and fresh elixirs were fortified by fine eaux de vie and cognac. Named for the ginger estate of Domain de Canton, this aromatic elixir first became popular with the French during colonial Indochina. Inspired by the subtle spiciness of the baby ginger grown there, the French began adding its exotic flavour to eau de vie and Cognac. The recipe of Domain de Canton evokes an era of tropical romance and continental sophistication that is both elegant and timeless.
One of the World’s Finest Liqueurs
By Matt Goldstein, 23 September 2010 Whiskey Goldmine reviewed Domaine de Canton and called it "one of the world's finest liqueurs". “Domaine de Canton is an excellent liqueur. The nose is a very strong ginger with a subtle medicinal quality. The flavor is much sweeter and the finish is very smooth. The Cognac quality and is evident with the eaux de vie complimenting the ginger almost perfectly. Domaine de Canton is one of the best liqueurs in the world...” Click here for the full article
Wolverine Creek Re-launched as the Christina Van Loveren Range.
When Hennie and Jean Retief bought the Van Loveren farm in 1937 it was called “Goudmyn F”. Jean, being quite a superstitious lady, believed the “F” stood for fools and failures, and convinced Hennie to rename the farm Van Loveren, after Christina Van Loveren, Jean’s ancestor who arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in 1699, and who’s “treasseau kist” has been passed down over seven generations. This year Van Loveren celebrates the 30th birthday of Brand Van Loveren and in honouring Christina (whos’ bridal kist is still on show in the manor house) the Wolverine Creek range will be relaunched as the Christina Van Loveren range of single vineyard wines.
New Van Loveren Campaigns
On Con Promotion: Have you signed up for the Van Loveren 30-year On-Con promotion? Restaurants not only stand a chance to win some super merchandise, but also the chance to reward their customers with a fully-paid dinner for themselves and 5 friends at your restaurant. Competitive waiters will also be in the running to win some cash prizes. Please contact us for more details if you are interested.
Off Con Promotion: Watch out for the new Van Loveren 30-year Off-Con campaign. By purchasing a bottle of Van Loveren wine, the consumer stands a chance to win an ubercool VW Polo. Finalists will be announced in early 2011 and celebrations will conclude with a showdown announcing the winners.
DOMAINE DE CANTON GINGER LIQUEUR
The 2009 Christina Van Loveren Cabernet Sauvignon has been listed on SAA premier class.
The 2008 Wolverine Creek Chardonnay has just received a gold medal at the Michelangelo awards.
Four Cousins 10-Year Celebration: Four Cousins is South Africa’s number 1 selling bottled brand and 2010 celebrates their tenth birthday. Simply by buying a bottle of Four Cousins wine, fans stand a chance to win a fully-inclusive weekend with the Four Cousins in the Robertson Valley.
Four Cousins Sparkling Ad Campaign: Four Cousins Sparkling wine were launched just over 2 years ago and much focus and attention will be given to the range this season with an intensive print campaign running from November through to January, to further support the brand and sales.
Van Loveren Top Performing Cellar at Robertson Young Wine Show
At the recent Robertson Young Wine Show, Van Loveren Wines took a total of seven of the regional champion trophies as well as having the best scored wine overall. Not only did this make Van Loveren the best performing winery of the night, but it is the very best Van Loveren has ever performed at the local Young Wine Show. Winemaker, Danelle van Rensburg, comments: "We are incredibly happy and proud of our team who all did their bit. While there are always questions about the purpose of the Young Wine Show, for us, as winemakers, it remains important to be able to compete with our concurrents, test certain wine styles and benchmark the quality of our young wines within the region and industry. The Young Wine Show affords us this opportunity."
Van Loveren received trophies for the following: Champion Chenin blanc Champion Cabernet Sauvignon Champion Dry White Blend Champion Other Red Cultivar Champion Port Champion Sweet White Blend Champion Pinotage
Google Street View has arrived in the Cape Winelands and visited Bouchard Finlayson’s terroir
Google Street View is a mapping system that allows users to move virtually around an increasingly large variety of interesting locations without leaving your home. South Africa celebrates a number of firsts on Google’s Street View: namely, the first African country to receive the service, the first time the World Cup Stadiums are shown with 7 of them featured, along with 12 wine farms from the Cape winelands - the first wine area in the world to be captured by Google’s panoramic cameras.
Click here to view our 360 degree ground level view showing our tasting and cellar buildings, vineyards, landscape and Atlantic Ocean view through the Hemel-en-aarde Valley.
The question arises. Does great Pinot noir at Bouchard Finlayson surface in cycles of four years? Our celebrity vintages have been 1997, 2001 and 2005 and now it appears 2009, but neatly stepping inside this magic cycle was our iconic 2007 vintage.
2009 shows all the attributes of distinguishing itself as another player within these four year cycles! Bouchard Finlayson Pinot noirs are clearly terroir driven by the knowing impact of our heavy Malmesbury Shale soils which impart firm structure and robust flavour statements in each vintage. This flavour quality is further enhanced by our practice of implementing high density closely planted vines to encourage competition between individual vines!
This bottling is rich with luscious soft tannins and dark-coloured forest fruits, deftly balanced on a cord of lingering plum and raspberry delights. Expected to age with appealing composure.
Bouchard Finlayson was awarded the Trophy for the Wine of the Year for our Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, scoring 97.5% in the newly launched web based South African Supérieur Wine Rating Index (SASWRI) - a world first –www.sawineindex.com
Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Sauvignon blanc is our eternal crowd pleaser! Each year we bottle it fresh while the fragrance is bright and a loving palate displays its certainty as South Africans best performing white wine.
Our geographic location lying within five kilometres of the cool Atlantic Ocean offers the best temperature zone that the Cape can contribute. Added to this is the heavy shale clay soil which typifies the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and lends an inviting tropical tone to the flavour profile of this vintage.
Vintage 2010 was preceded by some startling weather conditions which fortunately had no adverse effect on the Sauvignon Blanc grape other than to present a reduced crop compared to the two previous years!
This wine has a strong vibrant aroma, tropical fruits of pineapple, litchi and granadilla. This is followed by a firm crisp palate signalling a determined structure with parallel fruit calling one straight back to the glass!
Alcohol: 13.12% Total Acidity: 5.5g/l Residual Sugar: 1.9g/l pH: 3.3
Bouchard Finlayson features in Live Out Loud Magazine - August 2010 Click here for the full article
Bouchard Finlayson features in Destiny Magazine - August 2010
“If you want an exclusive Chardonnay to show off at your next dinner party, the Bouchard Finlayson Limited Edition Kaaimansgat Chardonnay is a good bet. Only 3 576 bottles of this exquisite wine were made....”
Dornier Continues to Focus on Chenin Blanc for their Range of White Wines
With careful management in the vineyard, meticulous selection of grapes and great attention to detail in the cellar, Dornier Wines latest releases of Chenin Blanc and Chenin-based wines demonstrate not only a singular diversity, but wines that offer elegance and a strong varietal-driven character.
Dornier offers three tiers of Chenin; the easier-drinking Cocoa Hill range, the more elegant Dornier range and the flagship Donatus range - the latter of which is Chenin-based with some Semillon.
While the 2010 vintage was a difficult one where strong winds had a negative effect on early-ripening grapes, the adverse conditions resulted in grapes with great flavour intensity due to lower crop levels.
This can be seen in the Pirate of Cocoa Hill 2010 Chenin Blanc, where complexity is balanced by the freshness of ripe, concentrated fruit.
Grapes for the wine came from the Stellenbosch region, from a range of blocks from different areas so that each could add different flavour nuances to the end product. The result is a wine with freshness, strong tropical fruit flavours, notably guava and kiwi, with a touch of citrus peel. Lees ageing adds a lengthy finish.
The Dornier Chenin Blanc is also the result of a less than easy vintage. Grapes hail from the somewhat dry Swartland area and were sourced from mature dry-land bush vines. Conditions were less than ideal with virtually no rain from January until the end of harvest. This again meant a lower yield, but good concentrated flavours in the grapes.
The wine was fermented in steel tanks following which it received some time in older fill oak barrels. A beautiful, upfront nose offers up a fruit salad of pears, ripe apricots and even dried peaches, while on the palate the apricot carries on to a persistently long aftertaste. There is a creaminess to the mouthfeel and seamless integration of fruit and wood.
Dornier Wines flagship white, the 2009 Donatus White offers a fusion of Chenin Blanc and Semillon (77% and 23% respectively). The aim was to tone the opulence and complexity of the Chenin with the freshness and fullness of the Semillon, and this is where the latest vintage succeeds admirably.
The 2009 was considered one of the best vintages with moderate and temperate conditions. Grapes were sourced from both the Stellenbosch area and also from the Swartland, where old dry-land vines were pin-pointed.
Yields were limited; resulting in an intensity of fruit flavour and the wine was aged in both first and second fill oak vats. A rich, elegant and full-bodied wine, the nose exudes aromas of ripe apples, roasted nuts and hints of citrus.
The palate offers up tropical fruit from the Chenin blanc, while the Semillon balances with minerality and freshness, all drawing out to a lengthy, lingering finish.
All three wines are prime examples of how Chenin blanc can be crafted into alluring wines of great character - each individual in their spectrum of flavours.
With Donatus, we strive to create a red premium blend showing both a distinctive local character and our individual style.
Vintage Conditions: The season leading up to the harvest period provided excellent conditions for optimal ripeness and flavour concentration. This year the harvest started earlier than expected, 10 days to be exact, however, it ended approximately 10 days later. These longer ripening conditions therefore provided for excellent fruit concentration and elegance.
Fermentation and Aging: For this exceptional blend we utilised only two premium vineyards on our property both with outstanding quality of fruit year after year. As we recognised their potential early we were able to maximize our winemaking efforts in order to express the best characteristics of each variety. Cold soaking was followed by a gentle fermentation with pump overs performed twice daily. The grapes remained on the skins for a further two weeks in order to gain complexity and overall tannin structure. Each batch then spent 14 months in 40% New French oak barrels before careful blending.
Tasting notes by Winemaker: Vintage conditions were ideal for the grape maturity and resulted in wines with more elegance and poise than those of warmer vintages. Aromas of spice, cassis, tobacco and hints of sweet fruit dominate the complex nose. Characteristics of the vintage conditions are evident on the palate with its full yet firm tannin structure and fresh flavour profile of red fruits with a fresh, lingering finish.
Food pairing: Excellent with rich red meat dishes, slow cooked in a red wine jus. It also has to be mentioned that this wine pairs particularly well with dishes that have an element of earthiness. This can be derived from either fresh mushrooms or certain vegetable accompaniments such as beetroot or aubergine.
2nd Asparagus and Wine Festival at Dornier Bodega Restaurant The beginning of the local asparagus season is a highlight in the Stellenbosch foodie calendar. This spring our chef will be celebrating this healthy, delicately flavoured aphrodisiac by creating numerous fresh culinary delights paired with Dornier wines. We invite you join us for this memorable experience that will bring together the flavors of our natural surroundings and tantalize your taste buds. Bookings: 021 880 0557 www.dornier.co.za
THE HOMESTEAD
Dornier opens The Homestead on 1st November, our new venue for private and corporate functions. Dornier Homestead, an original Sir Herbert Baker design, is in a tranquil country setting amidst the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountains and the Dornier vineyards. The Homestead has six elegant conference or function venues that can be adapted to various seating requirements and offer several indoor and outdoor break-away areas. As part of the package six comfortable bedrooms are offered. Bodega chef Neil Norman is in charge of all culinary aspects. For more information contact [email protected] or +27 83 757 7799
Gold Medal for Eikendal 2010 Sauvignon Blanc at Mundusvini, Germany.
Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2010 is a wine that is perfumed and multi-layered, offering everything the discerning Sauvignon Blanc lover looks for.
We are delighted to announce that the Eikendal Sauvignon Blanc 2010 has received a Gold Medal at the MUNDUSvini wine awards in Germany. This is one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world, made even more special by only awarding Gold medals to the top wines that achieve the highest number of points in the required range. The judging panel consists of highly qualified German and international judges, including the likes of winemakers, wine analysts, retailers, sommeliers, restaurateurs and journalists.
Click here for the full article
New releases and outlooks!
The Chardonnay 2011 has already gone through budburst. Budburst is very even and initial growth is strong. We are very happy with the results. However we have experienced very dry weather and rain is forecast in the growing season, which is not ideal. However, with hard work and dedication we will have good results.
New releases of Pinotage 2009, Shiraz 2009, Merlot 2008 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. As far as style goes, Eikendal are focusing more on elegance, finesse and freshness of the wines. The structure is finer and especially oak is more integrated, with the wines showing a nice red fruit.
Look out for Classique 2008, MCC 2008 and Chardonnay 2010 later this year.
“For me Eikendal is a beautiful, elegant woman, which is sophisticated and balanced in every way, and the wines need to show that as well.”
Nico Grobler, Eikendal Winemaker
Wine of the Month Club Awards
Eikendal was placed in the top 10 most successful producers of the past year. They received top scores in the Wine Category Awards for four wines, the Classique 2005, Merlot 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Blanc 2008, again showing the great track record that they have for these cultivars and blends.
New Series of Labels
Our new series of labels now feature on all our new releases. The new labels take us back to our roots, as the name Eikendal means 'Valley of the Oaks' and the oak tree that previously formed part of our labels can again be seen as a watermark on the label. The new packaging also features a stronger font, fresh cream coloured labels and a lush green screw cap for the whites, and the reds have a deep red capsule. The upper shape of the label was modified and ‘rounded’ to look more like the distinctive arches of the cellar.
Eikendal Blanc 2010 – the entry level range now also features the cultivars used in the blend on the front labels, helping us to lend some provenance to the wines. 2010 is a refreshing and elegant blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon with a low alcohol, and over-delivers yet again on taste and quality. The focus with this wine, is to produce something substantial, but with a fresh and crisp, fruity profile. The grapes were picked at different stages, early in the season, to keep natural acidity. Picking was especially early this year, due to the hot season. Blending was already done from ‘the vineyard’ with blocks earmarked especially for this style.
GOLD 85 to 91 points must be achieved in the judging of the wines by the international jury. Only the wines achieving the highest number of points in this range will receive the gold medal. This means that the minimum number of points required for this award may be higher.
Janina Unwooded Chardonnay 2010 – The Janina 2010 is now also bottled in the more traditional and elegant Burgundy bottle, and cuts a fine image on the shelf. 2010 was a very difficult season for Chardonnay with wind damage in November leading to a much diminished crop at harvest time. The upside is great quality wines. We picked this wine early in the season to retain good natural acidity which give us the length and tightness that we so love, and to be consistent with previous years’ wines. We aim for a creaminess on this wine that is closer to fresh farm butter, and compliments the natural peaches and cream, and citrus flavours so often found in Eikendal Chardonnay. Enjoy with yellow tail fish on the fire, mushroom and citrus risotto, grilled pork belly or just on its own..
Pinotage 2009 – The focus on the palate is to make a more Pinot Noir-ish style of wine, with a beautiful, elegant nose and a fine structure on the palate. The berries, cherries and chocolate on this wine makes for great drinking. During harvest, the grapes were vinified in large stainless steel tanks and received several pump-overs daily, spending about 10 days on the skins in total. After pressing, the batches underwent malolactic fermentation in tank, and further maturation in small second and third fill (225L) barrels for up to 10 months, after which they were blended up for bottling with minimal filtration and fining. For this wine only about 20% new oak is used, and the balance is second and third fill, with 10% American oak in total. Enjoy this wine with Springbok Carpaccio or lamb burgers.
Shiraz 2009 – The wine now part of our Cultivar ranges and features the fresh new white labels, at a great price. As with the other wines we’ve been making over the last few years, we again aimed to achieve finesse and elegance. This wine, although very expressive, is more restrained than previous vintages of Eikendal Shiraz, with the spice and black fruit coming more to the fore. This can be ascribed to more judicious oak use, and shorter time in barrel (11 months), allowing the wine to shine through, while the wooding only gives the structure to the wine, while never dominating. The wine spent about 2 weeks in total on the skins, with Malolactic Fermentation in barrels. This Shiraz is finely structured and reminds more of a cool climate Shiraz, enjoy with a peppery steak or slow cooked venison with a berry jelly.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 – The Eikendal Cabernet is another one of the wines that Eikendal is known for. The six individual Cabernet Sauvignon blocks were hand-picked early morning to avoid the worst midday heat, chilled down and cold soaked for 7-10 days. Some blocks are earmarked for the Classique blend, but the final selection is only made once the wines are in barrel. The grapes were vinified separately in large stainless steel tanks and received around 3 pump-overs daily, spending about 21 days on the skins in total. After pressing, the batches underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, and further maturation in small first, second and third fill (300L) barrels for up to 24 months, after which they were blended up for bottling with minimal filtration and fining. This wine is drinking well now, and can by enjoyed through 2015 and well beyond. Enjoy with serious beef roasts, oxtail, venison rillet or a chocolate mousse.
Rudera Restaurant Incentives for Waiters
This will run over 3-month period as from 1 August 2010 - Waiters sales will be monitored via point of sale system in the restaurant (not collection of corks) -30 bottles must be sold for waiters to qualify for prize within period -Best waiter over all the restaurants will win weekend away with partner at Maison Chenin -1 mixed case of Rudera Wine to best waiter at each restaurant (minimum of 30 bottles to be sold)
Rudera wants to thank our loyal customers, Harald of Aubergine Restaurant and Sue of Wine Concepts Kloof by treating them to a weekend away at the luxury 5-star appointed self-catering guest cottage, Maison Chenin in Franschoek.
The Rudera Chenin blanc has been one of the Cape’s top Chenin Blancs, with a loyal following locally and internationally, for the past 10 years. In the US this wine has always scored in the 90’s with Winespectator and other publications.
The name, De Tradisie (“The Tradition”) was given to this wine because it is so true to our goal to produce wines in a traditional and natural way. In fact, the making of this wine follows the ancient traditions of winemaking, some 300 years ago!
The wine saw no sulphur for a year and still has low sulphur levels. There was no de-stemming and it went through a “wild fermentation” i.e. without the addition of commercial yeast, enzymes, acids, or fining agents. It is further neither filtered nor cold-stabilised and therefore may in time throw harmless sediment, the ultimate sign of “real” wine!
Rudera De Tradisie Chenin blanc 2009 is an elegant, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, made in a dry, refreshing style.
The sites:
Incredible complexity is the hallmark of this wine and amongst other reasons; this is derived by “blending terroir”. The Grapes are from low cropping, very old bush vines (no trellising) in four different parcels in Stellenbosch and one in Elgin. The Stellenbosch sites are in Koelenhof (Du Bois), in the Bottelary hills (Roos), and in the Polkadraai-area (Joubert) and the Helderberg-area (Bredell). Du Bois is a northeast-facing vineyard situated at the top of the hill on the
geographical fault line, therefore situated on unique shale soil that produces very rich wines.
The Roos-block on the other hand is on the Western end of the Bottelary hills at the top of the mountain, with a Northwestern slope. This is as granite-based a soil as one can get, with granite boulders emerging throughout the vineyard. The decomposed granite gives lovely minerality to the wine.
Joubert is old mixed top soil of Oakleave and gravel over clay. It is over 40 years of age and produces the most elegant wine of all the vineyards.
Bredell is closest to the sea (3km as the crow flies) and gets lots of cooling sea breezes, but also the first to get harvested. It consists of Table mountain sandstone soils over clay. This vineyard produces very fruity wine, particularly yellow fruit flavours like pear, golden delicious apple and pineapple.
Tasting note:
The Rudera De Tradisie Chenin blanc 2009 has a complex nose of pineapple, rose petals and orange blossoms. The tropical, citrus flavours follow through on the palate, with oranges leading grapefruit, quince and cinnamon onto a rich but refreshing palate. A well balanced wine with great integration of oak that is simply experienced in the creamy mouth feel. Lovely, long and crisp finish. Alc 14% Vol
Landskroon, the historic family wine farm on the slopes of Paarl Mountain renowned for its big reds and port, has done exceptionally well at the recent Paarl and South African Young Wine Shows. The winning wine was a Shiraz entered in the category for wood matured Shiraz at the two wine shows. At the Paarl Young Wine Show it was judged the best Shiraz and at the South African Young Wine Show took the honours in the category for best wood matured Shiraz as well as the overall winner in the Shiraz class. Inspired by Cellarmaster Paul de Villiers in memory of his late father and namesake, and crafted by winemaker Abraham van Heerden, this prestigious wine is the culmination of nine generations of accumulated knowledge, experience and tradition at Landskroon by the de Villiers family. Paul, who considers Shiraz his favourite grape variety, believes the Landskroon climate and soil are ideal for the making of Shiraz. "The leaner soils on the south eastern slopes of Paarl Mountain result in lower production, which ensures good quality grapes for our wines," he explained. Grapes from chosen Shiraz vineyards on Landskroon are used in combination and the juice fermented in new American oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in the barrels after which the wine is racked and returned to the same barrels for further maturation of up to 15 months. The Paul de Villiers Shiraz 2010 is a full-bodied wine with a good 10-year maturation potential. Made in a contemporary style, it has delicious rich flavours of black berry and piquant pepper supported by tones of spicy oak gained from fermenting and ageing in new American oak barrels. Since its first release in 2000, the Paul de Villiers Shiraz has accumulated many awards including four star ratings by the definitive John Platter wine guide, whilst a number of vintages were awarded gold medals respectively at national and international wine shows. The select Paul de Villiers range offers the discerning wine lover superb wines that are well balanced, full-bodied with structure and a lingering aftertaste. Other wines in this range include The Paul de Villiers Reserve and Paul de Villiers Cabernet Sauvignon. Release date: September 2011
Vinification: Grapes were harvested at 25,7ºB, destalked and transferred to open fermentation tanks. During fermentation, skins that tend to rise to the top were regularly pushed down in order to promote good skin contact. At 11.2ºB the juice was separated from the skins and juice remaining in the skins recovered through the use of a gentle tank press. The wine was now fortified to approximately 18.5 Vol. % with the addition of matured brandy spirit. After settling for two weeks the wine was racked once and thereafter transferred to 225 L casks for finishing.
Product description: A wine with power and refinement. Ripe plums, blackberries, in bouquet. Smooth but lively palate, attractive dry finish.
Style: A dark coloured fortified wine with beautiful aromas of spicy black prunes and tobacco. Rich and smooth with flavours of concentrated berries.
Food Pairing: Serve on it's own or with matured cheese and fresh nuts after dinner. Cellaring: Enjoy now or over the next five years.
The Landskroon Chenin Blanc Dry 2010 and Landskroon Chardonnay 2010 have been included in Neil Pendocks Good Value Guru Wine Selection. www.goodvalueguru.com
Vinification: The different cultivars were harvested at optimum ripeness and then fermented separately between 25°C & 28°C. During fermentation, skins that tend to rise to the top were regularly pushed down to optimize flavour and colour extraction. Any juice left in the skins was recovered with the use of a gentle tank press. Malolactic fermentation was completed on staves and the wines were then racked from the lees. After a period of barrel maturation it was blended and stabilized before bottling
Style: Well integrated oak and fruit flavours. A full bodied wine with soft tannins.
Food: An ideal accompaniment to most meats and cheeses.
Winter Moments - best quaffer Reserve Chenin 09 - 5 stars! Wine Spectator picks Teddy Hall Chenin Blanc Sep. 15, 2010: TEDDY HALL Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Summer Moments 2009 (88 points, $11) Though ripe, this is racy and focused, featuring a good mix of tangerine, nectarine, quince and pear notes that offset one another nicely. The finish is fresh and lively. Drink now. 4,000 cases made. —James Molesworth Click here for more info 32 South African Rarities Reviews of the 2010 Cape Winemakers Guild auction of small-production showcase wines from some of South Africa’s top winemakers James Molesworth Posted: September 17, 2010
Excerpt from article: The annual Cape Winemakers Guild auction showcases small-production wines that are not commercially released, and this year’s batch is the best set since I began reviewing the wines in 2007. Scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2, the guild’s auction gives a peek into the behind-the-scenes experimentation and ongoing envelope-pushing of a small group of South African winemakers, many of whom represent the current generation that is helping to push quality higher.
The auction is open to the public, and interested bidders can register via the guild's website, www.capewinemakersguild.com. The auction benefits the guild’s 41 winemaker members as well as the guild's charitable endeavours, including a scholarship fund aimed at putting young winemakers through school.
This year, I tasted 32 wines, 27 of which earned outstanding marks (90 points or better on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale), besting last year’s performance. All told, there are 39 wines available from this year’s auction
TEDDY HALL Mediterranean White Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2008 Score: 92 | $NA This has a ripe, broad profile of nuts and dried tropical fruits, with pineapple, papaya, quince and fig flavors. Gorgeous toasted macadamia and hazelnut notes fill in on the long finish, which has riveting acidity for added definition. Chenin Blanc with Clairette and others. Drink now through 2012. 131 cases made. White. —J.M. TEDDY HALL Blanc de Blanc Stellenbosch Tribute Cape Winemakers Guild 2003 Score: 88 | $NA A mature, toasty style, with hints of walnut, buttered brioche and glazed pear. Walnut and wheat biscuit notes linger on the slightly trim finish. Intriguing, but not for everyone. Chardonnay. Drink now. 60 cases made. Sparkling. —J.M.
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Armand de Brignac in the Media
As we head into the 2010 holiday season, Armand de Brignac Champagne continues to be honoured with press coverage surrounding its rating as the world’s No. 1 Champagne. Recently, luxury lifestyle magazine Uptown featured Armand de Brignac in a beautiful full-page article in their “Indulge” feature, which highlights recommended luxury brands. The feature touches on Armand de Brignac’s selection as the best Champagne in the world, as well as its ubiquitous presence in music videos and nightclubs.
The South African Sommelier’s Association provides a platform through which prospective and professional Sommeliers can be developed & trained in accordance with the highest international standards. To email the South African Sommeliers Association click here Or contact Naftali Mtumbo Hamhola on 079 295 9443 Or visit them on Facebook
HELDERBERG WINE FESTIVAL 21 – 24 October 2010 10h00-17h00 Thu-Sun. Thirty great wineries from Stellenbosch and Somerset West have joined forces to offer the third Helderberg Wine Festival. COSTS Each visitor has to purchase a festival pack (wine glass and programme booklet) @ R100 pp. This gives you access to the festival and the participating wineries + participation in the various events on offer. All wineries also offer optional experiences, some of which have to be paid for additionally. The Festival pack is valid for all 4 days. You only pay once! Repeat visits are welcome. WINERY PROGRAMMES Each winery offers a full programme of events, tailor-made for its facilities and wines. Visitors drive from farm to farm to enjoy free tastings on selected wines and the other activities on offer. Example of a winery event: Sunday, 25 October Eikendal
“Foot of the Helderberg Walk”
Walk along the spectacular scenery of the Helderberg at your own pace. Kids and families welcome. All profits from winery events donated to various charities. Click here for more info
