SOUTH AFRICA

 

South African wines are often thought of as half-way in both geography and style between the Old World and New World – if in doubt in a blind tasting say “ South Africa ”. We continue to favour Morgenhof in Stellenbosch, Paul Cluver in Elgin and Bouchard Finlayson in Walker Bay . We have also managed to wheedle a small allocation of the exciting reds from Jean Engelbrecht’s collaboration with golfer Ernie Els.

 

Morgenhof, Stellenbosch

Situated in the foothills of the Simonsberg Mountains , the Morgenhof Estate benefits from a range of different microclimates and since Anne Cointreau-Huchon bought the property in 1993 extensive re-planting has taken place to ensure that grape varieties are planted in the right locations.

2005	Sauvignon Blanc, Morgenhof	bottle	£8.75
	New World fruit with Old World minerals. A great all-rounder.
2004	Chardonnay, Morgenhof	bottle	£8.99
	Lightly oaked with elegant citic fruit.
2003	Première Selection, Morgenhof	bottle	£14.75
	“Classically styled, made to age, the blend varying from vintage. Concentrated, refined dark fruit with rip sweetness, firm tannins but balanced, lengthy dry finish.” ***** John Platter Guide 2005
2002	Merlot Reserve, Morgenhof	bottle	£23.00
	“Seductive, classy and serious. Ripe, supple tannin integrating with warm, bright fruit.” ***** John Platter Guide 2005

 

Paul Cluver Estate, Elgin

The Paul Cluver Estate has been growing fruit for generations but was only identified as an ideal location for wine grape growing in the 1980s. Wine is a family affair with Paul Cluver Junior as business manager and his brother-in-law Andries Burger as winemaker. Those of you who attended a fascinating evening with Andries recently know that the wines are high quality and very good value.

2006	Slowine Pinot Noir Rosé  [B]	bottle	£6.99
	Slowines are Cluver's new concept - biodynamic great value everyday wines
2005	Sauvignon Blanc, Paul Cluver	bottle	£8.99
	Lighter, crisper and more appley than the Morgenhof above.
2004	Chardonnay, Paul Cluver	bottle	£11.50
	Barrel-fermented using only wild yeasts. Restrained, creamy-textured and elegant. Great stuff.
2002	Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul Cluver	bottle	£10.99
	Ripe blackcurrant fruit with a hint of restrained new oak. Well balanced, medium weight. Showing soft maturity.
2003	Pinot Noir, Paul Cluver	bottle	£11.99
	Ripe black cherry fruit character with just a hint of oak. Very convincing Pinot Noir character. Great value.
2004	Noble Late Harvest Riesling, Paul Cluver	half	£10.99
	Deep golden colour. Rich spicy botrytis character with sweet citric & tropical fruit. Highly recommended.

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic

Bouchard Finlayson, Walker Bay

Like Paul Cluver at Elgin (above), Walker Bay has one of the coolest winegrowing climates in South Africa due to the cold South Atlantic influence. As you might expect it is ideal for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and, in particular, Pinot Noir.

2005	Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Bouchard Finlayson	bottle	£9.99
	A great combination of old & new world styles – the fruit of a Marlborough Sauvignon and the minerals and balance of a Pouilly-Fumé. Over the summer we discovered that this is great with asparagus.
2003	Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay, Bouchard Finlayson	bottle	£11.50
	8 months in oak gives this wine a ripe spicy character yet retains crisp acidity to give a long fresh finish.
2003	Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Bouchard Finlayson	bottle	£19.00
	Burgundian planting and a clay and shale soil give great structure and character – great balance of elegant small red fruit flavours, oak and acidity. Great stuff.

 

Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, Stellenbosch

A joint venture between golfer Ernie Els and his.wine enthusiast Jean Engelbrecht with the help of winemaker Louis Strydom. The vineyards are situated in the foothills of the Helderberg Mountain where they grow the classic Bordeaux varieties plus Shiraz .

2003	Engelbrecht Els	bottle	£21.50
	A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz , Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot. Big gutsy red with spicy Christmas cake flavours.
2003	Ernie Els	bottle	£44.00
	A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot. Earthy mineral and mocha flavours with prominent new oak and gutsy tannins. Has the structure to last 15+ years. Best decanted.

 

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic