The WorthWhile Wine Blog
Pre-Harvest Report - Jan 27th 2010
Pre-Harvest Report from Billy Marklew
Wine marketers are going to have to consult their dictionaries to come up with original superlatives for the back to back bumper quality vintages in the Stellenbosch area…
Extremely low yields after heavy wind in late October, coupled to good ground water moisture and moderate ripening temperatures indicate a vintage of intense varietal flavours.
De Goede Sukses (Marklew) farm is looking forward to “cooking” with these finest of ingredients this vintage and predict a range of full flavoured and well structured wine in the cellar.
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DORNIER ESTATE
Modern classics with a new world freshness added to traditional structures.
In the ragged folds of the Stellenbosch Mountains, amidst fynbos-clad slopes and manicured vines, nestles a place of understated drama and grace.
The Dornier boutique winery is located in the historic heart of what is often called “the most beautiful setting for winemaking in the world.” It is an inspirational location in which to create new wines.
By employing traditional handcrafting and state of the art technology, Dornier develops wines that are both timeless and contemporary, combining the elegance of the Old World with the charm of the New.
For more information about Dornier Estates, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Cocoa Hill Chenin Blanc |
3 Stars "Good Value" (Platter); Gold Michelangelo Intnl. Wine Comp. |
| Cocoa Hill Rose |
3 Stars, "Lively & interesting" (Platter) |
| Cocoa Hill Red blend |
3 Stars, "Fruity, crisp, and dry – just as it should be" (Platter) |
| Estate Merlot |
4 Stars, "Alluring" (Platter); Gold medal Mundus Vini |
| Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
4 Stars, "Serious, clasically-styled wine" (Platter) |
| Estate Pinotage |
4.5 Stars (Platter); Gold medal Mundus Vini |
| Donatus White |
4.5 Stars (Platter); Gold medal Mundus Vini; 90, "Fat and silky, but zingy" (Tanzer) |
| Donatus Red |
4.5 Stars (Platter) "like an old-style Saint-Estephe" (Tanzer); "Elegant, plished and beautifully balanced" (Cybercellar) |
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IPW – SA sustainable production certification
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WEDDERWILL BIODYNAMIC WINES
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For more information about Wedderwill Wines, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Wedderwill Bordeaux blend |
3.5 Stars (Platter) |
| Wedderwill Shiraz |
(Platter) Gold medal Michelangelo International |
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VREDE en LUST ESTATE
Vrede en Lust is a family owned and managed boutique winery with a history spanning 320 years! In 1688 Jacques de Savoye founded Vrede en Lust, which in Dutch means "Peace and Passion". We strive to create "Classical New World Wines". The Vrede en Lust range caters for special occasions and everyday enjoyment. We produce honest, terroir-driven wines from our vineyards in the Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl and Elgin regions..
For more informations about Vrede en Lust Estate, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Jess Dry Rose |
Delicious strawberry, cranberry and watermelon flavours. 3 Stars, "Medium bodied with refreshing acidity" (Platter) |
| Karien Chenin Blanc |
Fresh, crisp and fruity – a lovely easy drinking Chenin Blanc. 4 Stars, "Savory, food compatible" (Platter) |
| Sauvignon Blanc |
A beautiful cool climate nose with flinty notes, grapfruit, grenadilla and gooseberry. |
| Marguerite Chardonnay |
Barrel Fermented with complex nose of fresh citrus, toasted almonds and wild flowers |
| Mocholate Malbec |
Mocha and chocolate flavours with cherry & dark berry fruit. |
| Simond Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend |
Lightly wooded, with a firm backbone and layers of complexity. |
| Boet Erasmus |
Classical New World Bordeaux blend with cherries, blackcurrant, pencil shavings and cedar on the nose. |
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BWI – Native species sustainability certification
WIETA – SA ethical worker certificate
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SOLMS-DELTA WINE
"One of the most interesting and promising Cape wineries" (Tim James "1001 Wines To Try Before You Die")
"Every once in a while I am so blown away by one producer that I feel the need to shout out to the world, ‘Pay attention to these wines!’."– Pamela Busch, San Francisco Examiner.
"Seriously distinctive wines" — Jancis Robinson, Financial Times
"Intriguing, intelligent wines" — Hugh Johnson, Pocket Wine Guide "Wine: the future" — Nick Angel, BBC4
The Solms Delta estate yields a stable of wines that promises to deliver a new, uniquely South African style. These are classical wines with a difference: made from grapes desiccated on the vine in the manner of the ancient Greeks, using selected French varietals that are known to thrive in Mediterranean climes, intelligently blended with the tried-and-tested favorite varietals of the old Cape.
For more information about Solms-Delta Wines, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
AFRICANA
(Platter 4.5 stars) |
"This pungently scented and powerfully tannic wine is unique" – Neil Beckett, 1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die
“Smoky and floral with huckleberries, blackberries and fire-roasted chocolate….one of the best New world shiraz wines I’ve tried.” — Pamela Busch, San Francisco Examiner |
KOLONI
(Platter 4.5 stars) |
Among the world's "100 most exciting wine finds of the year" — Tom Stevenson, Wine Report 2009 |
HIERVANDAAN
(Platter 4 stars) |
One of my "Franschhoek favourites" — Jancis Robinson, Financial Times |
AMALIE
(Platter 4.5 stars) |
"Full of character and interest as well as eminent drinkability" — Tim James, Grape [rating 17]
“Remarkable texture … delicious” — Pamela Busch, San Francisco Examiner |
LEKKERWIJN
(Platter 4 stars) |
"Probably the best [rosé] produced in the Cape" — Michael Fridjhon, Business Day |
LANGARM
(Platter 3.5 stars) |
"Handcrafted for drinkability rather than wine show glory" — Neil Pendock, Financial Mail |
| VASTRAP (Platter 3 stars) |
"An appropriately cheerful but not frivolous blend." – ‘Top tipples’, Lonely Planet Cape Town City Guide |
| CAPE JAZZ SHIRAZ (Platter 3 stars) |
"How to rate a cultural weapon?" — Neil Pendock, Sunday Times
"Perhaps the most interesting of all the Solms creations" — Michael Fridjhon, Business Day |
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BEE – SA Black Enterprise Empowerment
IPW – SA sustainable production certification
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RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD VIGNERONS
"Outstanding wine bargains, able to compete with wines costing two to three times as much" (Parker)
The Rupert and Rothschild partnership was formed in 1997 by the late Dr. Anton Rupert of South Africa and the late Baron Edmond de Rothschild of France.
The Rupert and Rothschild families strive to produce world-class wine, and are deeply committed to the preservation and conservation of the environment.
To produce wine of the finest quality meticulous attention is given to vineyard and cellar practices. The viticulture and winemaking team work closely together during the green harvest, the harvest, the pruning and the blending. Rupert & Rothschild produce classic, elegantly structured wines.
For more information about Rupert & Rothschild Vignerons, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Classique |
4 Stars, "vivid" an "over-delivering food wine" (Platter) |
| Baroness Nadine |
4 Stars "Well focused, ripe but elegant" (Platter) |
| Baron Edmond |
4.5 Stars "Blockbuster Cab/Merlot blend" (Platter); last four vintage ratings from Tanzer 90, 91, 91, 92 |
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ISO – International sustainable production certification
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ROOIBERG WINERY
"Outstanding wine bargains, able to compete with wines costing two to three times as much" (Parker)
Rooiberg is a well-respected favorite in South Africa, known for the consistent quality of their often-awarded “Best Value” wines. With wine critics like Robert Parker proclaiming Rooiberg wines to be "Outstanding wine values able to compete with wines costing two to three times as much," Rooiberg is soon to be a favorite in America also.
The environmentally friendly vineyards are planted in four different regions . It is these specific micro-climates that influences the flavor of the wines – the reason why wines from Rooiberg Winery are becoming known and appreciated throughout the world.
For information about Rooiberg Wines, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Chenin Blanc |
“Best Value Wine” (Wine Magazine) |
| Sauvignon Blanc |
"Good value" (Platter); “Best Value Wine” (Wine Magazine); Double Gold Medal (Michelangelo International Wine Competition) |
| Pinotage Rose |
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| Chardonnay |
3 Stars, "Charming highlights & a long creamy fairwell" (Platter); "A vibrant and elegant Chardonnay" (Cybercellar) |
| Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot |
“Best Value Wine” (Wine Magazine) |
| Shiraz |
“Best Value Wine” (Wine Magazine); "Exceptionally drinkable and well priced" (Platter) |
| Pinotage |
3 Stars (Platter); “Best Value Wine” (Wine Magazine); "Extremely drinkable" (Cybercellar); Gold Medal (Michelangelo Intnl. Wine Comp.) |
| Reserve Chardonnay |
3 Stars "Powerful Flagship wine packed with charm" (Platter); “Best Value” (Wine Magazine) |
| Reserve Cabernet |
“Best Value” (Wine Magazine); "Good Value" 3.5 Stars (Platter) |
| Reserve Shiraz |
“Best Value” (Wine Magazine); "Good Value" 3 Stars (Platter) |
| Reserve Pinotage |
“Best Value” (Wine Magazine) "Best Buy" 3.5 Stars (Platter) |
| Port |
3.5 Stars,"Silky richness" (Platter) |
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BEE – SA Black Enterprise Empowerment
IPW – SA sustainable production certification
ISO -International sustainable production certification
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RIEBEEK CELLARS
Riebeek Cellars, established in 1941, is situated in Riebeek Kasteel at the foot of Bothma's Kloof Pass. This medium-sized winery on the western coast of the Cape Province of South Africa sources its grapes from the fertile Riebeek Valley and the slopes of the mountain where the climate is very similar to the Mediterranean. Through the years as vineyard practices developed, cultivars were planted in soil and at slopes best suited to them. These well-tended vineyards enable the production of high quality wines which makes Riebeek Cellars the choice of wine buyers internationally.
For more information about Riebeek Cellars, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Riebeek Chenin Blanc |
2.5 Stars, "Best Buy" "Simple juicy summer appeal" (Platter) |
| Riebeek Shiraz-Cinsault |
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| Riebeek Chardonnay |
2.5 Stars, "Best Buy" (Platter) |
| Riebeek Zhiraz |
"Good Value" 3 Stars (Platter) |
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BEE – SA Black Enterprise Empowerment
BWI - Native species sustainability certification
IPW – SA sustainable production certification
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NEETHLINGSHOF
Neethlingshof lies in the very heart of the Cape’s winelands in the Stellenboschkloof, flanked by the Bottelary Hills and Papegaaiberg Mountain just outside the town of Stellenbosch. The Estate is renown for their dryland vines established in deep red soils that are rich in organic material and amply feeds the roots.
For more information about Neethlingshof Estate, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Gewurztraminer |
4 Stars "cheerfully charming" (Platter) |
| Unwooded Chardonnay |
3.5 Stars, "Easy going, pleasantly rounded & dry" (Platter) |
| Merlot |
3 Stars (Platter) |
| Malbec |
3.5 Stars "Lovely wild fruityness with trademark strong tannin" (Platter) |
| Owl Post Pinotage |
4 Stars "Good fresh flavors" (Platter) |
| Maria (LH Riesling) |
4 Stars "Soft, solky charm" (Platter) |
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BWI – Native species sustainability certification
IPW – SA sustainable production certification
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MURATIE ESTATE
Underfoot the land breathes, from the centuries-old oaks to the resting cellar and original homestead, a romance lingers of love, passion, grapes, art and life – Muratie Wine Estate the story of a wine farm in Africa.
Comfortable with visitors, but not crowds, the farm echoes old-world hospitality. The environment is authentic, the methods traditional and the surrounds, beautiful and unmanicured. The farm itself exudes honesty, humbleness and integrity – qualities and resonate in every drop of Muratie wine.
Situated at the foothills of the Simonsberg, Muratie Wine Estate tells the story of winemaking in South Africa, a history almost as old as the country herself.
For more information about Muratie Wine Estate, please contact us.
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| Wine Name |
Notable Awards & Accolades |
| Isabella Chardonnay |
4 Stars, "Ripe and rich. Golden delicious character" (Platter) |
| Pinot Noir |
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| Ansela van de Caab |
4.5 Stars (Platter); "A sophisticated wine for those special times." (Cybercellar) |
| Ronnie Melck Shiraz |
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| Cape Vintage (Port) |
90, "An exceptionally user-friendly Port-substitute" (Parker); 4 Stars (Platter) |
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BEE – SA Black Enterprise Empowerment
BWI – Native species sustainability certification
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