As promised, here are my hot tips on Majestic’s South African wines – 25% off when you buy any 2 bottles under their Spring deal (valid until 26 April). (Picture credit: Hendrik Holler)
Vergelegen are at the vanguard for Bordeaux varieties. The straight Cabernet Sauvignon is always a great buy so you get a lot of bang for buck on deal at £11.99 – definitely one to stick away in the cellar for five years or so, though it’s drinkable now. Ditto the super-premium The Red 2003 at £22.49. The whites are very well made – sometimes a little too “correct” for me, with the exception of “The White,” a fabulous white Bordeaux blend with tons of texture and interest – £18.74 on deal. See my notes of a Vergelegen tasting and vertical here for an insight into the range and how the top reds perform with some years under their belt.
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2006 – another great Stellenbosch red and former wine of the month (see here). More lifted and elegant than the Vergelegen – think Margaux – a finely honed wine for £9.74 on deal.
As for whites, there’s a fine selection of Sauvignon Blancs – a real strength for South Africa, indeed, my favourite source of New World Sauvignon. Most are 2008, which I tasted when they were fresh as a daisy at the Cape Fair in September 2008, so bear that in mind vis a vis my tasting notes below. Expect Sauvignons with a dash of Semillon to have developed a bit more complexity, texture and interest.
Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Constantia) – quite smoky, flinty, mineral style with gunmetal and a tang of steely grapefruit. Very good. £7.99 on deal.
Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Constantia) – always very good – I tasted the 2008 and here is my note for that vintage to give you a sense of the style – very intense, quite applely with a mineral undertow; tightly coiled – very good. Includes 8% Semillon for texture and complexity. £8.99 on deal.
Elgin Vintners Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Elgin) – lovely fresh nose and intensity of flavour; super mouthwatering finish. £7.49 on deal.
Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Elgin) – with 7% Semillon this has fantastic mouthfeel (and lees-stirring helps) to its plumper mid-palate butno shortage of zesty citrus with a tight core of grapefruit and lemon; steely with good length/intensity. £9.37 on deal.
Elgin Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Elgin) – tangy and tight with cool blackcurrant bud, steely and pink grapefruit.
Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (Elgin) – tight, steely grapefruit nose; the palate is more relaxed, with softer apple as well as grapefruit; attractive tang to the finish. A touch of Semillon for mid-palate. £7.99
For the other Loire Blanc, De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2008 is an impressively concentrated, complex oak-aged wine made by Chenin guru Teddy Hall – £12.74 on deal. If you like Ken Forrester’s FMC or Jean Daneel’s Signature Chenin Blanc this is worth a look, taste even…
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February 8th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Hi Sarah
Lots of Sauvignon’s here, haven’t South Africa come a long way with this variety over the last few years! 4 from Elgin and two from Constantia! Iona is superb and their 2009 is even better, in my opinion, than the 2008. Elgin is beggining to show real class with this varietal and the addition of a little Semillon adds to the complexity and mid palate balance. Klein Constantia, as you say, always a class act but did you realise that some of the fruit for this comes from the Hemel en Aarde Valley!! In fact the vineyard right next to ours in the valley (farmed by Peter Davison, our vineyard manager) has sold its whole 2 hectares again to Klein. Bodes well for our first vintage, which ironically we are making at Iona.
The De Morgenzon Chenin is superb and up there with South Africa’s best. They have a brand new winery, finished recently, and as you say Sarah, it is made by Teddy Hall from Rudera, one of the Capes most talented winemakers….his Chenins are divine.
Tim
February 8th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Hi Tim
Absolutely – I interviewed Majestic’s buyer, Matt Pym about Cape Sauvignon and he told me he really liked the fact that regionality is coming through. I didn’t know that Klein Constantia use some Hemel en Aarde fruit but given that a number of producers are said to be buying Sauvignon from warmer climes to keep up with demand, I’m pleased to see that they’re keeping it cool! Meantime, their Perdeblokke single vineyard Sauvignon keeps the 100% Constantia flag flying in style – sadly not in Majestic. Look forward to tasting Seven Springs! Sarah