Monday 10 Sept 2012

1. Professor Black Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Very pale, almost colourless. Restrained nose for a Sauvignon Blanc - some gooseberry, some citrus notes. Quite grassy. However, the wine has an intense palate - probably as a result of being left on the lees. Heavier mouthfeel. Plenty of fruit on the palate. Good length. Perhaps a little hot on the finish but otherwise very good. Powerful, primary character.

2. Chardonnay 2010
Medium gold. Intense nose. Noticeable oak, apple, nuts, cream, vanilla (the usual suspects). Very high acid. Full bodied, with a silky mouthfeel. Palate is quite intense - nuts, cooked apple, candied lemon. This is good, but perhaps would prefer it if it had more noticeable primary fruit character.

3. The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Really juicy blackberry fruit on the nose. Also, spice, liquorice, tobacco. The fruit is less prominent on the palate, but still plenty of liquorice. Sour finish, but otherwise very easy drinking. Simple and nice, not for storage but enjoyable now.

4. Old Bush Vine Pinotage 2010
Jammy red fruit on nose. Very ripe. Banana note on palate - in fact somewhat reminiscent of a barbecued banana . Quite soft and enjoyable, but somewhat sour finish. Probably better with food.

5. Three Cape Ladies 2010
This is the first serious red wine tonight. Red fruit on the nose... also something like beer too. Can a wine be "hoppy"? Ripe fruit - something cooked or concentrated about the flavour on the nose - not really noticeable on the palate. The oak is there but feels restrained, despite having spent almost 2 years in oak! Prominent tannins. This is somewhat austere, but in a good way. A very good wine. Will age.

6. Trilogy 2009
Complex meaty aromas overlaying black fruit. Really refined palate. Silky mouthfeel. Great fruit intensity. Meaty and savoury on the finish. This is really very good. Power, balance and complexity. Should age well too.

7. Cabernet Franc 2009
Ripe black fruit and tobacco on the nose. Silky and high acid on the palate - the tannins, whilst present, feel well camouflaged. A little restrained at first, this opened up nicely in the glass. Probably needs a little time to really hit its stride - promises great things. However, it's very nice now as well.