Boekenhoutskloof Tasting

Vivat Bacchus
26 November 2012

1. Semillon 2009
This is old-vine semillon (some vines dating back to the 40s). Smoky and waxy nose. High acid, round and mouthfilling. This has a slight banana aftertaste, but not in the typical rubber/banana SA cliche way, but in a ripe fruit kind of way. This is delicious, long and will age well.

2. Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
This has a noticeable oxidative character. Partly from the bottle age, also presumably from the 27 months in new oak that the Cab Sauv gets. A rich nose: wood, spice and nuts overlaying the black fruit foundation. Some cigar box too. This is developing complexity but still has a juicy, refreshing and smooth feel on the palate so presumably has scope to improve even further. Very good stuff.

3. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
This has a more austere nose than the 2001. Again, it has the oxidative character. More medium-bodied and thinner feel on the tongue. Still lots of fruit-flavour intensity. Tannins felt more prominent. Good length. Not the best of the wines tonight, but in a typical line-up would still be very impressive.

4. Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Noticeable oak, smoky, dark fruits. So smooth and ripe on the palate. Juicy and refreshing finish. Lots of power. High tannin, but not dominant (only really stands out when the wine is swirled round the front of the gums). Ridiculous length. This is very nice now, but should be seriously excellent in a few years.

5. Syrah 2004
Unlike the Cab Sauv, the Syrah apparently sees no new oak. Ripe black fruit and pepper on the nose. Definitely some oxidative character. Slight rancio aromas - cooked meat, savoury finish. Great length. Oh, how I wish I'd loaded up on this when I was a student and it was cheap.

6. Syrah 2006
Sour and juicy character. Like the 2006 Cab Sauv, this is a more austere wine - apparently a more difficult vintage.

7. Syrah 2009
So fruity and powerful. Ripe black fruit and pepper. Serious ripeness evident on the palate too. Seriously intense and powerful. This is really impressive.

8. Semillon Noble Late Harvest 2004
Amber colour. Fresh apricot and orange on the nose. High acid - not at all cloying. This is very good. It still has lots of flavour intensity. A white pepper finish. Will age very well... sadly there's no more available!

Random trivia:
- The wine labels are hand-torn and applied by hand.
- The same winery also produces the Porcupine Ridge, Wolf Trap and Chocolate Block ranges. The Chocolate Block is also superb.