Friday, September 06, 2013

South African wines in the Decanter Awards list

INTERNATIONAL TROPHY AWARDS
Red Rhône Varietal under £15: Boschendal Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
White Blend over £15: Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2012
Cape Point, Western Cape
Elim, Cape Agulhas
Dry Aromatic under £15: Paul Cluver Gewurztraminer 2012
Elgin, Overberg
REGIONAL TROPHY AWARDS
South African Red Bordeaux Varietals over £15 Trophy: Constantia Glen Three 2009
Constantia, Coastal Region
South African Red Rhône Varietal over £15 Trophy: De Trafford Syrah 393 2010
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
South African White Blend under £15 Trophy: DeMorgenzon Maestro 2012
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
South African Sweet under £15 Trophy: Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest Bergkelder Selection 2011
Western Cape
South African Red Blend over £15 Trophy: Hidden Valley Hidden Secret 2010
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
South African Red Bordeaux Varietal under £15 Trophy: KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2010
Coastal Region
South African Chardonnay under £15 Trophy: KWV The Mentors Chardonnay 2012
Elgin, Overberg
South African Sauvignon Blanc under £15 Trophy: KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Western Cape
Paarl, Coastal Region
South African Chardonnay over £15 Trophy: Oak Valley Chardonnay 2011
Elgin, Overberg
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS
Beyerskloof Faith 2009. Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Cirrus Syrah 2010, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Constantia Glen Two 2011, Constantia, Coastal Region
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Hartenberg Shiraz 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Jordan Cobblers Hill 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2011, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2007, Constantia, Coastal Region
Lourensford Noble Late Harvest 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Nico Van Der Merwe Wines Syrah 2007, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2010, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Saronsberg Shiraz 2011, Tulbagh, Coastal Region
Sumaridge Chardonnay 2010, Upper Hemel-en-aarde Valley, Walker Bay
Uitkyk Carlonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Western Cape
SILVER AWARDS
Allesverloren Touriga Nacional 2011, Swartland, Coastal Region
Almenkerk Chardonnay 2012, Elgin, Overberg
Alvi's Drift Muscat de Frontignan 2010, Worcester, Breede River Valley
Anatu Fugue 2010, Coastal Region
Asara Carillon 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Ayama Baboon's Back Shiraz 2011, Voor Paardeberg, Coastal Region
Badenhorst Family Wines Duiker 2012, Swartland, Coastal Region

Claime d'Or Chardonnay 2012, Robertson, Breede River Valley
de Trafford Elevation 393 2008, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay 2009, Robertson, Breede River Valley
Delaire Graff Estate Chenin Blanc 2012, Swartland, Coastal Region
Delheim Chardonnay Sur Lie 2011, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Delheim Edelspatz Noble Late Harvest Botrytis 2012, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Western Cape
DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Domaine des Dieux Chardonnay 2011, Hemel-en-aarde Ridge, Walker Bay
Doolhof Wine Estate The Minotaur 2009, Wellington, Coastal Region
Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Merlot 2011, Durbanville, Coastal Region
Eagles' Nest Merlot 2009, Constantia, Coastal Region
Eagles' Nest Shiraz 2010, Constantia, Coastal Region
Elgin Vintners Merlot 2009, Elgin, Overberg
Escapades Pinotage 2011, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Escapades Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Escapades Semillon 2012, Coastal Region
Fairview Jakkalsfontein Shiraz 2009, Swartland, Coastal Region

False Bay Peacock Ridge Merlot 2011, Western Cape

Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Western Cape

Gabriëlskloof Five Arches 2009, Bot River, Walker Bay
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2012, Constantia, Coastal Region
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2010, Constantia, Coastal Region
Groot Constantia Pinotage 2011, Constantia, Coastal Region
Groot Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Constantia, Coastal Region
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2012, Hemel-en-aarde Valley, Walker Bay
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011, Hemel-en-aarde Valley, Walker Bay
Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Hartenberg The Stork 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Jordan Chenin Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Kanu Wines KCB 2010, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
KWV Perold Tributum 2010, Coastal Region
KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Lands End Syrah 2011, Elim, Cape Agulhas
Le Bonheur Tricorne 2009, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Lutzville Diamond Collection Chenin Blanc 2012, Lutzville Valley, Olifants River
Manley Estate Merlot 2010, Tulbagh, Coastal Region
Monis Muscadel 2004, Western Cape
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur 2009, Paarl, Coastal Region
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence 2010, Paarl, Coastal Region
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Neethlingshof The Six Flowers 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2011, Elgin, Overberg
Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2010, Elgin, Overberg
Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone 2011, Franschhoek, Coastal Region
Rijk's Private Cellar Pinotage 2008, Tulbagh, Coastal Region
Rijk's Private Cellar Shiraz 2007, Tulbagh, Coastal Region
Rijk's Touch of Oak Shiraz 2010, Tulbagh, Coastal Region
Rust en Vrede Estate 2010, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Rustenberg Roussanne 2012, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Rustenberg Shiraz 2011, Simonsberg-stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Saronsberg Seismic 2008, Coastal Region
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Spice Route Chakalaka 2010, Swartland, Coastal Region
Steenberg Vineyards Semillon 2011, Constantia, Western Cape
Stellenbosch Hills 1707 Reserve 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Stellenrust 47 Chenin Blanc 2011, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Tesco Finest Chenin Blanc 2012, Swartland, Coastal Region
Veenwouden Merlot Reserve 2011, Paarl, Coastal Region
Warwick Professor Black Sauvingon Blanc 2012, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Waterford Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2009 2009, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region
Waterkloof Circumstance Syrah 2010, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Wellington "Quest for the Best" wine showcase at the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel

The next Wellington Wine Festival will be held on Saturday 14th September on the differ farms involved. Check out their website for details.
They produce very good rugby players in Wellington:Schalk Burger senior, of Welbedacht, with two friends
The top 10 Wellington wines. Actually seven reds, two whites and Bains Brandy
The tasting underway to live music in the foyer of the Waterfront Tsogo Sun Hotel
Sampling the wines makes you chat a lot
Three good Shirazes for tasting: Dunston, Linton Park and Bohemian from Welbedacht
Four very good Cabernet Sauvignons .  Very true to the grape variety with lots of rich sweet fruit, good depth and nice age potential. No green stalkiness  or too much tannin: De Bos 2011, Wellington, 2011, Welbedacht 2009 and Napier 2011.
Mark Bhiza, one of the hotel staff, with a bottle of Mon René bubbly from Welbedacht
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013

Media launch of Durbanville's Season of Sauvignon

We met in front of the wine cellar at Klein Roosboom and had a welcoming glass of their bubbly
An innovative flower arrangement
Petal strewn pathway into the cellar
We sit to hear about the Durbanville Season of Sauvignon which will be held on Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th October
Winemaker Thys Louw of Diemersdal  tells us how we will taste the wines with the food pairings in the cellar. There was lots to taste. It was a very good way to experience the wine as well as sample some dishes from four of the local Durbanville wine farm restaurants.
Karin de Villiers, owner an winemaker of Klein Roosboom tells us about her wines
While the media listens, makes notes, takes photos and tweets
Smoked trout, orange segments, lime, ricotta cheese with mixed baby leaves and vanilla to match the De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2013.  A wonderful match by Chef Ian Bergh of De Grendel echoing the wines flavours and complexity perfectly
From Chef Louisa Greeff of Durbanville Hills, Smoked snoek pate topped with cape gooseberry jelly and a bread stick.  Good but rather difficult to eat, we had to resort to the back of a fork!  Paired with Hillcrest’s passion fruit and lime dominated Sauvignon
This is her menu and wine pairing
Chef Barend Gouws at Cassia’s (on Nitida) menu and the wines they were paired with
Daring colour combinations from him with his smoked west coast sea salt marinated gravadlax, cooked beetroot a poached quails egg topped with a little under-seasoned Maltaise sauce. This went well with all three wines.  He also did a small double baked camembert soufflé with a parmesan crisp, blue cheese mousse and green fig preserve we enjoyed.
Chef Barend Gouws with his dish
Someone has been burning the candles in the cellar while writing in a ledger. Very Edgar Allan Poe
Chef Ian Bergh of De Grendel’s menu with his wine pairings. Lynne found the Spanspek Gazpacho very challenging as it contained two of her most disliked ingredients: fresh cucumber and fresh coriander but the sweet melon helped a lot and it did indeed match the wine extremely well.  His Granadilla parfait with a cold savoury marscapone ice cream, a tuille and fresh granadilla was an absolutely beautiful dish, possibly one to try to recreate at home.
Chefs preparing the salmon salad in one of the wine kuipe – old concrete wine tanks which still have wine residue on their surfaces
The menu of Chef Nic van Wyk from Diemersdal was judged the most innovative and delicious of the day by many of us.  His simple green apple panna cotta was soft, creamy and perfectly wobbly, such a good counterpoint to the crisp apple and gooseberry in the wines.  His Waldorf like salad with the best local smoked chicken we have tasted so far was inspiring. Then came his apple marinated slices of pork belly charcuterie with a green apple dressing which brought out minerality from the wines.
Norman McFarlane
Lynne talking to Nic van Wyk
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013