.: Hartenberg, Klein Constantia and Radford Dale wines at The Wild Fig

Dave Nel’s Trade Tasting of Hartenberg, Klein Constantia, Anwilka and Radford Dale

This was held at the Wild Fig restaurant from 3 pm and although we didn’t have that much time due to another engagement at 5, we managed to have a good tasting and talk intelligently (we hope!) to the winemakers and marketers of these wines. The canapés produced are really worth a mention. Lynne has never been to this restaurant and we think we need to soon if this is an indication of their food.

The wines were all on show and we have to confess a huge bias for Hartenberg wines, which really shone. It is one of the few farms to produce a perfect Merlot. 2010 has no green stalkiness, just lovely classic cherry flavours with vanilla and plum. A sweet soft and juicy Shiraz 2010, a great expression of Cabernet Sauvignon the 2010, an easy drinking Cabernet Shiraz blend 2011. Even the entry level Doorkeeper Shiraz is soft and juicy. Then we come to the Gravel Hill Shiraz which is a full on fruit bomb ending in salty licorice. The Mackenzie 2009 is still quite restrained in its goreousness but will open out with time and has lots more to come. And the Stork 2010 nose is full of violets and the leaves in the vineyard , It is full of soft sweet berries, still hiding but gathering itself for a grand entrance.

The Anwilka Petit Frere 2012 Shiraz, Cab, Petite Verdot blend tastes of cherries, plums and caramel is quite chewy with salt on the end. It needs time. The Anwilka 2011 has blackcurrent leaves and mocca on top of rich fruit with a ltttle chocolate and black fruit.

We liked the Estate red from Klein Constantia a blend of Cab, Petit Verdot and Malbeck full of berries, vanilla and grippy tannins that linger with some licorice bitter wood on the end.

Restaurateur Neil Grant of Burrata