TN: South African New Releases

WINE TALK
1

SOUTH AFRICAN NEW RELEASES - Beltramo’s in Menlo Park, California (2/6/2010)

Not exactly an exciting lineup, although there are decent values represented here, as usually the case with many South African producers. The best of the whites, for me, was the Southern Right Sauv Blanc. Among the reds, I was disappointed with the Chocolate Block, as I’ve liked it better in prior years. The Cab from the same producer was just okay. The best of the reds was the Rudi Schultz Syrah, a new producer to me. It’s in a plush, fruit forward style that isn’t my preference, but it is well made.
Whites

  • 2009 Essay Chenin Blanc - South Africa
    Light lemon yellow color; floral, cream, lime nose; tart lime, creamy textured, apple, tart green fruit palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (95% Chenin Blanc, 5% Viognier) (87 pts.)
  • 2009 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Walker Bay
    Light yellow color with slight greenish tinge; lemon grass, gooseberry, mineral, lime peel nose; lemon grass, gooseberry, lime palate, solid and flavorful; medium finish (with 3.5% Semillon; Sauvignon kept on fine lees for 3.5 mos.) (89 pts.)
  • 2007 Sequillo Cellars Sequillo - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
    Light medium greenish yellow color; floral, oak, oily, yellow fruit nose; creamy textured lemon, oak, lime palate; medium finish (60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Grenache Blanc, 10% Viognier, 10% Roussanne) (88 pts.)
  • 2008 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay - South Africa, Walker Bay
    Light medium yellow color with greenish cast; oak, banana, baked lemon, floral nose; creamy textured, ripe lemon, pear, banana, oak palate; medium finish 88+ pts. (8 mos. in barrel, 100% French oak) (88 pts.)

Reds

  • 2008 Kanonkop Estate Kadette - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
    Very dark red violet color; herbaceous, olive, black fruit nose; herbaceous, tart black fruit, olive palate; medium finish (45% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc) (85 pts.)
  • 2008 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block - South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl, Franschhoek Valley
    Very dark red violet color; spice, black cherry, berry, herbal nose; tight, black cherry, herbal, berry, tar, plum, black raspberry; medium-plus finish (69% Syrah, 12% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cinsault, 2% Viognier; 15 mos. in 2nd and 3rd year French oak) (87 pts.)
  • 2005 Sequillo Cellars Sequillo - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
    Slightly cloudy very dark red violet color; menthol, spicy, plum, green herb nose; tart plum, berry, green herb, black raspberry, spice palate; medium finish 87+ pts. (68% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache) (87 pts.)
  • 2005 Rudi Schultz Syrah - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
    Dark red violet color; black fruit, plum, black raspberry, baking spice nose; tight, tart berry, black raspberry, plum palate; medium-plus finish 88+ pts. (88 pts.)
  • 2007 Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon - South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl, Franschhoek Valley
    Dark red violet color; herbaceous, olive, tart plum nose; herbaceous, olive, tart plum palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)

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