Leading South African winemakers are invited to join the Cape Winemakers Guild (“CWG”) to promote benchmark South African wines. As a means of promoting their wines, members produce small amounts of exclusive wines for sale at the CWG annual auction. This tasting comprised wines made by CWG members as well as auction wines (which are denoted by CWG).
De Trafford Chenin Blanc 2004 – toasty, vanilla nose, very tight palate with concentrated fruit amply supported by wood – a keeper.
Jean Daneel Signature Chenin Blanc 2004 – honeysuckle, tangerine and honeyed tropical fruits on the equally expressive nose and palate; mineral hints add a touch of restraint – sumptuous.
Rudera Chenin Blanc 2003 – wild, slightly funky nose with quince; fresh, persistent palate with quince and aniseed – very good.
Jordan Estate Blanc Fume 2004 – a textured, subtly oaked Sauvignon Blanc.
Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - very fresh, grassy and pungent with racy acidity carrying a long finish – accomplished.
Boekenhoutskloof Semillon 2003 – super toasty, vanilla custard nose and palate with waxy pear fruit, a touch of wildness with good length – subtle, despite the oak.
Warwick Estate Chardonnay 2004 – fresh tangerine and citrus nose with discreet oak, creamy palate nicely balanced with citrussy bright fruit, good clean but complex style.
Vergelegen CWG “The White” 2004 – this Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc showed great depth of palate – mouthfilling with long, minerally finish – very good.
Jordan CWG Chardonnay Reserve 2004 – Citrussy fruit cut with vanilla custard – good length – rich yet elegant wine.
Jordan CWG Sophia Auction Reserve 2003 – a tightly-knit Bordeaux blend to stow away in the cellar; very good structure allied to classic cassis and cedar.
Waterford CWG Auction Reserve 2003 – sappy, youthful nose and palate with bright cassis, elegant acidity and a touch of bay leaf – admirable freshness in this Bordeaux blend.
Lourensford CWG Limited Release 2004 – engaging Bordeaux blend with fine grained tannins and great depth of cassis with perfumed blueberry top notes – gorgeous!
Graham Beck CWG Shiraz Barrel Select 2002 – Rhone-style shiraz with grippy black pepper, bloody, mineral/iron notes, savoury fruit with lots of liquorice; a little warm, but very good.
Boekenhoutskloof CWG Auction Reserve Syrah 2003 – a nose of pure parma violets which follow through on a sanguine, vinous palate – accomplished.
Luddite CWG Auction Reserve Shiraz 2004 – very, very good hedonistic New World Shiraz – rich, with spicy, supple savoury fruit.
L’Avenir Pinotage Reserve 2004 – tight, tannic and fruity with lashings of fruit, gingerbread and spice.
Rudera CWG Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest Auction Reserve 2005 – toothsomely sweet, but fresh’n sappy too for balance – superb fruit purity – clear as a bell.
Sarah Ahmed
The Wine Detective
October 2005
