2113 Wine Club 1/22/14 South Africa

Originally established as a point between Europe and the Indies to restock on provisions, South Africa has a rich and rocky history with wine. Going through periods of success and overproduction, resulting in a rocky market for South African wines throughout the years. It was only when apartheid was lifted that South African wines began to show up in america. 

http://www.southernwines.com/

2013 Douglas Gren Sauvignon Blanc

This is a great, refreshing example of Sauvignon Blanc from the Western Cape of South Africa. It is my wine of the week!



"For over 70 years, we have sourced and selected grapes to best express our South African wineland origins. It was already in 1942 that Douglas Green was convinced that the quality and character of the varied vineyards of the Western Cape should not be confined, but rather combined to express the best of each region." - http://www.douglasgreenwines.com/


This wine is pale gold with a tinge of green, plenty of pineapple and gooseberry on the nose, the palate is crisp and dry with a plethora of tropical fruits, finishing with a nice abrupt acidity.


Pair with basil & goat cheese stuffed chicken breast. Ready to drink.

2008 Bellingham Chenin Blanc


Chenin Blanc is South Africa's most widely planted white grape. Bellingham treats it well. These grapes are from the Western Cape of South Africa.

"The Bellingham winemaking approach is one of minimal intervention. Time-honoured methods are combined with measured technological expertise to create great value premium wines true to variety and origin. Time and attention is asserted to every stage of production with a particular emphasis on mouth-feel and preserving the natural fruit character. Subtle barrel maturation that enhances the structure and complexity of our wines without overpowering the inherent varietal ensures vibrancy and broad appeal in both our red and white wines." - http://www.bellinghamwines.com/
Pale straw color, citrus and white flowers on the nose, hint of honey. Crisp and fresh, medium plus body, nice and fruity. True Chenin Blanc.

Pair with roasted chicken. Ready to drink.

2013 Stellar Organics Pinotage

The first thing I have to mention is that all Stellar Organics wines are 100% organic and fair trade. Pinotage is the most widely grown red grape in South Africa. However I chose this wine prematurely, excited for the new vintage, and this wine is too young and falls flat of its predecessors.

"Stellar Winery, South Africa's largest producer of fine organic wines, processes organically-grown grapes for the South African and export markets. The grapes are drawn from farms in the Lower Olifants River Valley, part of the Namaqualand area of the Western Cape. This is an area famous for its spring flowers and is also the only semi-arid Biosphere hotspot in the world." - http://www.stellarorganics.com/

Plum in color, cherry and vanilla on the nose, following on the palate. Slightly wooded and slightly tannic. Altogether unimpressive. Young.

Pair with stews, heavy pasta. Give it a few years.









2013 Stellar Organics Cabernet Sauvignon

Like the Pinotage, I pulled this Cab Sauv a bit early, however the youth on this wine is not as much a hinderance as a tease of what aging will bring.

Dark red in color, forest floor, a bit of bell pepper, spice on the nose. Warm wooden vanilla on the palate, smooth tanins, nice finish.

Pair with lamb chops, pepper corn steak. Ready to drink, but will age well.