Editor's choice: June 2009
Editor's choice: June 2009
This month Christian Eedes looks at wines from Spier, Durbanville Hills, Stanford Hills Estate and Kaapzicht.
VALUE PINOTAGE
★ ★ ★ ✩ THREE AND A HALF STARS
Spier Signature 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R44
Stellenbosch winery Spier makes some 500 000 cases of wine a year, and the Signature label sits somewhere in the middle of the multitiered range. This particular wine offers great quality relative to price, with complexity of flavour, good palate weight and tannic grip. CE's score: 16½/20.
INVESTMENT PINOTAGE
★ ★ ★ ✩ THREE AND A HALF STARS
Jacksons Limited Release 2007
STANFORD HILLS PRICE: R65
From vineyards grown on Stanford Hills Estate situated about halfway between Hermanus and Gansbaai. Made by Peter Kastner with advice from Niels Verburg of Luddite fame. This wine has individuality displaying both red and black fruit on the palate as well as firm tannins and pleasing acidity. CE's score: 16/20.
VALUE PINOTAGE
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Durbanville Hills 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R59
Durbanville Hills is increasingly associated with top quality Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to the close proximity of the vineyards to the ocean. Here it seems those cool growing conditions can also benefit Pinotage, this wine appearing medium bodied, clean and fresh. Flavours of red cherries and plums. CE's score: 16/20.
INVESTMENT PINOTAGE
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Kaapzicht 2006
CELLAR PRICE: R68
Danie Steytler, winemaker at Bottelary winery Kaapzicht, puts what he considers his best wine under the Steytler label, but I believe this second-tier wine off ers plenty without being overdone. Full bodied and densely structured but with bright acidity that lends freshness. CE's score: 17/20.
