Two more trade tastings this week, and both on the same day.
The first was Neil Ellis Wines, which was held at The Stack in Gardens and was
very well attended. There were lots of wines to sample including some older
vintages, for which we are very grateful, as tasting older vintages is very
important in judging how a farm's wines mature..
We began at the white table and enjoyed the Neil Ellis 2018
Groenekloof Sauvignon Blanc, a very popular wine, found on many wine lists. We
were also fascinated by the 2017 Op Sy Moer (Transl. On Its Lees) a quirky
blend of 37% Palomino, 33% Grenache Blanc and 30% Chenin Blanc. It’s a
naturally made wine, so it’s a bit cloudy and spritzy, with lots of apple
flavours, rather resembling a cider and very enjoyable. The 2017 Whitehall
Chardonnay is rather heavy with wood, so needs lots of time and the absolutely
delightful Noble Late Harvest Semillon 2016 blew us away. This will win awards.
Well done, winemaker Warren Ellis
Charl Ellis was behind one of the tables with the
second tier red wines
Warren Ellis, the winemaker, was pouring and talking about
the wines on the first red wine table. The Piekenierskloof 2014 Grenache had
people talking. Savoury and herbal with juicy fruit, black pepper, mulberries
and dark toasted wood. The 2012 Rodanos is still a wine for your cellar; it has
rich red berries and chalky tannins, good acid structure and dark toasted wood,
while the 2012 Insignium is ready NOW with soft, seductive berry fruit in
layers, much appreciated. The 2012 Webb Ellis has violets on the nose from the
Petit Verdot addition, spices and cassis are richly layered. The one we liked
the most is the cracking Groenekloof 2015 Cinsault. Pale edges and light red,
with a typical Cinsault slightly tinny nose, it is juicy, soft and ready right
now. Full of rhubarb and mulberry fruit this food wine is so approachable.
On the other table were the Regional wines, these more
commercial and less expensive wines of Neil Ellis, many of which you will find
on wine lists. The 2017 Aenigma has a pretty nose, elegance, incense wood, soft
sweet fruit and is easy drinking. The 2016 Syrah is fairly classic with lots of
pepper on the nose. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend is pretty, floral,
spicy with cassis and mulberries and is soft and sweet, with wood on the end.
The 2015 Cabernet is shy on the nose and has some interesting fruit flavours
Nice to have the time to sit and savour the wines for your
wine list!
Neil Ellis is represented by Vinimark nationally. This is
Andrew Baker and Gemma Botha
Blonde bombshells all: PRO Posy Hazell, Wine Merchant
Caroline Rillema and Sarah Revell who represents Vinimark
And finally, Neil Ellis himself on the vintage table. The
2008 Sauvignon Blanc from Elgin was amazing. Yes, you can definitely keep and
enjoy older white wines, if they are correctly stored*. Full of asparagus and
green pepper on the nose, balanced by good crisp acidity and fruit in wonderful
layers of flavour, this wine keeps on giving. The 2005 Jonkershoek Syrah has
Incense wood, notes of spice, pepper and soft sweet berry fruit, with dark toasted
wood on the end. This would be so enjoyable with good meat dishes. The 2004
Syrah is complex, fruity, spicy and the pretty nose draws you in to the velvety
wine with a follow through of softened oak. The 2010 Grenache has savoury herb
notes with some bruléed caramel on the nose. Alcohol is still playing a part
and the lovely palate has sour plums and mulberries that go so well with food.
*In a cool, dark environment with minimal temperature
fluctuation
The two older Sauvignons Blanc
The Neil Ellis family at the tasting. L to R Charl, Margot,
Neil and Warren Ellis. A great wine family. Thank you, it was a very informative
and enjoyable tasting. Great to see what you are doing
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2018
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