Panel chairman's choice: August 2010
Panel chairman's choice
Looking for a personal recommendation? Christian Eedes discusses some of the wines that stood out for him during this month's blind tastings.
VALUE SHIRAZ
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Koelenbosch 2007
KOELENHOF PRICE: R40
A well-balanced, medium-bodied wine showing both red and black fruit as well as some pepper. The use of oak is particularly well done - turns out the wine spent 18 months in second- and third-fill barrels. From the winery that was WINE magazine's 2009 Best Value Cellar Overall.
CE's score: 16/20
INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Hazendal 2008
CELLAR PRICE: R65
While so many examples of local Shiraz come from very young vineyards (and hence lack fruit concentration), grapes for this wine come from a vineyard planted in the 1970s. The nose displays dark fruit and spice, while the palate is juicy and fresh with well-judged oak.
CE's score: 16/20
INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Indalo 2007 (Swartland)
APPROXIMATE RETAIL PRICE: R62.95
This is the reserve label from Swartland Winery and tastes suitably ambitious. The wine shows attractive oak on the nose and is rich and full-bodied on the palate with concentrated dark fruit and a note of white pepper. Twelve months in one-third new, one-third second-fill and one-third older barrels. CE's score: 16/20
INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
La Bri 2006
CELLAR PRICE: R100
Contains 10% Viognier. This wine is made in a plush, modern style and is very good of its type. There's ultra-ripe dark fruit and attractive oak on the nose, while the palate is rich and full. Fresh acidity lends balance. Fifteen months in oak, 40% of which was new. CE's score: 16/20
