If you’ve been following the international news, you may well think that South Africa is coming apart at the seams. Repeated reports of the miners’ strikes that left over 40 dead, and of the union on non-union violence in the Cape region, have
left many with the impression that the country is in utter chaos. Fortunately, that’s far from reality.
While the pent-up frustrations of those who expected more from their post-apartheid government have undeniably come to a boil in recent months, the fact is that the ongoing fight for economic equality is, for the large part, being carried out peacefully. For most, life goes on in South Africa without incident, despite the continued labor unrest.
So if you’re getting ready to travel to ZA, or pondering it in the future, you can not only exhale, but take heart: recent reports of the strikes have spooked the tourism market to the point that there’s lots of great deals to be had at the moment. Last month, South African Air offered up an amazing $872 round trip fare from Washington, DC to Johannesburg – the cheapest flight I’ve ever seen in all my years of travelling to this country.
Unfortunately, I started planning this ZA visit last spring for a group of 8, so I missed out on the bargain flights. The good news is that I’m here for the second time this year, and all’s calm, cool and collected here in the Cape region – except for me, because, as you know, I’m never calm and collected, and I pretty much explode the mercury on the uncool thermometer. That said, I’m in about as good a state as I could ever hope to be, and ecstatic to be back on South African soil.
The only commotion I’ve encountered here so far has been the unbelievable winds – they practically knocked me sideways the other day, and shook my windows so hard one night that they made me sit straight up out of a deep sleep. Oh yes, and I took a wave blast that soaked me to the bone on my waterfront jog the other morning. But those intense gusts were just a temporary condition – theyv’e finally settled out, the sun is shining, and the weather is back to springtime perfect. All else is going well here, and the Wild Life wine safari is moving along without a hitch – although not necessarily without hiccups.
I’m happy to report that, thus far, I’ve seen far more baboon warning signs than baboons. In the Cape region, it seems like there’s at least one of these signs in every community – which in my mind means that South Africa’s still got a healthy tourism market, because nobody that lives near baboons needs to be told what a menace the little beasts are. In the event that you don’t know what the locals do, I’ll tell you that it’s not just a fool’s errand to open your car window in the presence of baboons, much less feed them, because you risk a bite. You also risk a visit from a baboon coming out of the vineryard totally pissed. So one is well-advised to heed the baboon country rules of the road, because the last thing you want is a drunk monkey stealing your wheel. OK, so you probably wouldn’t want me behind your wheel in wine country, either, but I do have one advantage over baboons: I’m a happy lush.
Considering the steady stream of ZA wineries I’ve conquered this week, I am a happier lush than usual, and over-the-moon with the prospects still to come. Add to that the fact that I’m staying right around the corner from ZA’s viticulture center of excellence,the University of Stellenbosch, home of the Maties, and you can see why I feel that I’ve already broken the sound barrier on my way through the stratosphere. It’s hard to imagine a higher state than I’m in, but I’m pretty sure that unknown galaxies are the limit for me, because the week ain’t close to over yet!
ZA wineries are now offering up their 2012 releases for sampling, and those that are exported to the US should start hitting our shores in the next month. There are so many new wonderful releases that I couldn’t do any one of them justice by trying to list, much less describe, all of them in one column – and, as I said, there’s still many more wineries to visit yet this week. So stay tuned to this space over the next few months for the best pick reviews. Until then…….a royal handwave from HRH, lady of lush land, to all you loyal wineaux out there. Ching, ching, cheers, and make that a double, Maties!
Format
If you’ve been following the international news, you may well think that South Africa is coming apart at the seams. Repeated reports of the miners’ strikes that left over 40 dead, and of the union on non-union violence in the Cape region, have left many with the impression that the country is in utter chaos. Fortunately, that’s far from reality.
While the pent-up frustrations of those who expected more from their post-apartheid government have undeniably come to a boil in recent months, the fact is that the ongoing fight for economic equality is, for the large part, being carried out peacefully. For most, life goes on in South Africa without incident, despite the continued labor unrest.
So if you’re getting ready to travel to ZA, or pondering it in the future, you can not only exhale, but take heart: recent reports of the strikes have spooked the tourism market to the point that there’s lots of great deals to be had at the moment. Last month, South African Air offered up an amazing $872 round trip fare from Washington, DC to Johannesburg – the cheapest flight I’ve ever seen in all my years of travelling to this country.
Unfortunately, I started planning this ZA visit last spring for a group of 8, so I missed out on the bargain flights. The good news is that I’m here for the second time this year, and all’s calm, cool and collected here in the Cape region – except for me, because, as you know, I’m never calm and collected, and I pretty much explode the mercury on the uncool thermometer. That said, I’m in about as good a state as I could ever hope to be, and ecstatic to be back on South African soil.
The only commotion I’ve encountered here so far has been the unbelievable winds – they practically knocked me sideways the other day, and shook my windows so hard one night that they made me sit straight up out of a deep sleep. Oh yes, and I took a wave blast that soaked me to the bone on my waterfront jog the other morning. But those intense gusts were just a temporary condition – theyv’e finally settled out, the sun is shining, and the weather is back to springtime perfect. All else is going well here, and the Wild Life wine safari is moving along without a hitch – although not necessarily without hiccups.
I’m happy to report that, thus far, I’ve seen far more baboon warning signs than baboons. In the Cape region, it seems like there’s at least one of these signs in every community – which in my mind means that South Africa’s still got a healthy tourism market, because nobody that lives near baboons needs to be told what a menace the little beasts are. In the event that you don’t know what the locals do, I’ll tell you that it’s not just a fool’s errand to open your car window in the presence of baboons, much less feed them, because you risk a bite. You also risk a visit from a baboon coming out of the vineryard totally pissed. So one is well-advised to heed the baboon country rules of the road, because the last thing you want is a drunk monkey stealing your wheel. OK, so you probably wouldn’t want me behind your wheel in wine country, either, but I do have one advantage over baboons: I’m a happy lush.
Considering the steady stream of ZA wineries I’ve conquered this week, I am a happier lush than usual, and over-the-moon with the prospects still to come. Add to that the fact that I’m staying right around the corner from ZA’s viticulture center of excellence,the University of Stellenbosch, home of the Maties, and you can see why I feel that I’ve already broken the sound barrier on my way through the stratosphere. It’s hard to imagine a higher state than I’m in, but I’m pretty sure that unknown galaxies are the limit for me, because the week ain’t close to over yet!
ZA wineries are now offering up their 2012 releases for sampling, and those that are exported to the US should start hitting our shores in the next month. There are so many new wonderful releases that I couldn’t do any one of them justice by trying to list, much less describe, all of them in one column – and, as I said, there’s still many more wineries to visit yet this week. So stay tuned to this space over the next few months for the best pick reviews. Until then…….a royal handwave from HRH, lady of lush land, to all you loyal wineaux out there. Ching, ching, cheers, and make that a double, Maties!
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e.jpg” alt=”" width=”65″ height=”224″ />The Dow’s down, the Euro’s tanking, it’s a presidential election year, and humanity is still light years from achieving world peace. But take heart, because I’ve got some really great news. Here, for your consumption, are the Wild Life’s “Best of 2012″ Wine Finds that were featured at the 3rd annual Wild Life Wine Tasting. Check out some of these great new wines that are here in the states, then consider yourself armed with every excuse you need to head to ZA for the wine safari of a lifetime. Cheers to all that!
*Includes wine ratings from Platter’s , the authoritative annual guide to ZA wines, rates as outlined below. Other wine critic ratings provided where available. Note that some of these wines were just released, so have not been rated yet.
5 stars Superlative. A Cape Classic. Exceptional. (Very few wines make this rank)
4.5 stars Outstanding (comparable to high 80s to low 90s rating)
4 stars Excellent
3.5 stars Very good, promising
3 stars Has character, appealing
2.5 stars Good everyday drinking wine
2 stars Pleasant drinking
1 star Plain and simple
“Superquaffer” (my recs on low cost/high quality, value ZA wines to stock your store)
*** ZA WINES AVAILABLE IN US ***
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Thelema Mountain 2008 4.5 stars Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-YES!!!! All those “O’s,” and not a battery or buff body involved. This soft, smooth, and sultry cab is pure sex in a bottle. Take your time and savor every sip. Orgasmic!
Robert Parker: 91 points Wine Spectator: 91 points Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
Boekenhoutskloof 2009 5 stars Sip, shut your eyes, and take a mental trip to heaven. If you’re an atheist, I’m not sure where you’ll go, but I’m pretty sure it’s a good place after a wine like this. Here, from Platters’ Winery of the Year for 2012, is the wine that’s earned numerous five star ratings since 2000, and stands up with the best of the world-class cabs – at a fraction of the price of US cabs. Not currently available in DC market
Superquaffer! Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 3 stars It’s one of those days, and all you want to do is end it with a drink – which really means you want at least a few. Say you have lots of days like that. If so, a) welcome to the club b) meet your new best friend, Excelsior cab. So many critics’ best value awards, so little time. If it’s quantity and quality you crave in one bottle, here’s your wine. This one takes the gold for most times on a Top 10 under $10 wine list. Only a brain donor would pass up this wine bargain. Don’t be a brain donor.
Wine Enthusiast: “Best Buy” award three consecutive years, 2006-2008
SHIRAZ
Rudi Schultz 2009 4 stars If it’s snap and jazz you’re after, this syrah is one bad – as in good – mama jama. High note, free form, perfect pitch. Super stylin’. After scoring so many wins, particularly with his red wines, famed Thelema winemaker Rudi Schultz ventured out on his own label with this cool, classic, and sassy syrah.
Wine Spectator: 92 points Wine Enthusiast: 91 points
Boekenhoutskloof 2009 5 stars Don’t cry for me, Napa! Delightfully spicy, yet remarkably smooth, no one needs to cry for you, syrah devotees – this one will bring a tear to your eye and lump to your throat. Back again for its third Wild Life tasting appearance, from the winery that consistently hauls in 91+ ratings from Robert Parker/Wine Advocate, is this superstar syrah. Not currently available in DC market, but online via Vinopedia, Snooth and others.
DeMorgenzon DMZ 2009 3 stars Get your daily dose of anti-oxidants with this bold berry brew amped up with dashes of spee-see, spicy pepper and cinnamon flavors. Thumbs up, prices way down for a well-balanced, everyday drinking wine.
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: 90 points Wine Spectator: 88 points
PINOTAGE
Kanonkop 2009 4.5 stars The pros have dubbed this one a “showstopper.” One taste of this, and you’ll never be choking at the thought of a pinotage again: this one puts all those urban legends about the gritty ZA red in the dirt. Medium-bodied, noted for its fruit purity, and great balance. Drink up, and know why you should never turn down the opportunity for a quality pinotage again.
Wine Enthusiast: 90 points
Superquaffer! Ken Forrester Petit 2011 2.5 stars Berries, cherries, smoke and spice. Uncharacteristically light-bodied for a pinotage, but an easy-going, everyday drinking wine with the price tag to match. Go a little wild, and serve up this excellent value red with a distinctly ZA character. A quaffable, red steal at under $15 bucks.
RED BLENDS
DeToren Z 4 stars This beautiful merlot-led blend is lush, lush ba-bee – and talk about long legs! A drop-dead gorgeous red. Wine Spectator: 90 points
Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2009 4 stars Very berry, a little licorice undertone and cherries. This cab-based blend is yet another Glen Carlou wine that’s made a splash on the international circuit – although many here are still getting acquainted with it. Yummy soft and demure tannins.
Superquaffer! Kanonkop Kadette 2010 3.5 stars If I had a nickle for every time someone has asked me “what was that wine you served, and where can I get it?”, I’d be retired. Actually, I sorta am, other than my full-time job as designated server, so you see what I’m trying to say here. This pinotage-led red blend is well-matched and priced for a dinner party. At $15 a bottle, it’s a quality buy that will keep’em – and you – coming back for more.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Superquaffer! Ken Forrester 2010 3.5 stars From a king of the ZA wine world, and the titan of ZA chenins, comes this smashing sauvignon blanc with all the right stuff. It packs the perfect SB punch – a smoky aroma, lots of zingy, citrus flavors, and that classic, ZA mineral finish. Amazingly affordable, yet beyond respectable for its price point – it’s a perfect SB choice for everyday drinking and a top value.
Wine Spectator: 87 points Robert Parker: 87 points
CHENIN BLANC
Raats Family 2009 (still awaiting rating) 3.5 stars Raats rocks! When it comes to consistent quality chenins, few do it quite like South Africa, and when it comes to ZA chenins, few do it like the Raats Family. Founded in 2001, this estate – which only produces chenins and cab francs – is already one of ZA’s top chenin producers. Tip up, tilt down and learn why this wine already has a reputation as a “classic,” and a huge international fan base.
Wine Spectator: 90 points Robert Parker: 90 points
Superquaffer! Indaba 2011 2.5 stars Chillin’ Chic. Here’s to the perfect summer workhorse wine. This zippy chenin is a perfect warm weather sipper – as easy on the wallet as it on the palate. Among the many Indaba labels that Wine Advocate critic Robert Parker calls “truly mind-boggling values,” it’s now a Wine Enthusiast best buy for the third year in a row. If you’re an everyday wine drinker, make this one part of your summer splash.
CHARDONNAY
DeMorgenzon “DMZ” 2011 (not yet rated) Pucker up for a nice dose of citrus and tropical fruit, and let the good times roll – right down your throat. A relatively new entrant in the US market, this one is coming on strong due to amazing quality for the price. Get ahead of the curve and “DMZ” yourself now before the word is out!
Glen Carlou 2009 4 stars Glen Carlou is famed California winery Hess’ estate in ZA, and not surprisingly, like its US counterpart, it is best known for its chardonnay. Nice citrus and apple flavors, and the classic French oak fermentation make for a classic chard, bold with flavor, but soft on the mouth. If yo u’ve grown up on California chards, this one will make you feel right at home. All the charm of a CA chard, but not the price tag. What’s not to love? Robert Parker: 89 points
Superquaffer! Excelsior (unwooded) 2011 2.5 stars Woo-Hoo! Value vino that’s pound for pound and price point, one of the best white wine values out there these days. And the best news is that it’s still enough of a secret, you can probably find enough to restock your liquor locker. Fruity, but uncomplicated. Simplify for some real wine savings, and savor. Another Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy” three years running (08 -10). Wow-ZA!
Wine Enthusiast: “Best Buy” wine 2008 – 2010
METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE / SPARKLING
Graham Beck Brut 4 stars Be a power play-ah. This MCC first burst on fire when Nelson Mandela served it as his inaugural festivities, exploded when it became a dinner date favorite of the Obamas, and finally went ZA-viral when it was served at the US President’s nomination celebration. This year, it will earn another star on the walk of fame when its premier brut sister, Cuvee Clive, is featured as James Bond’s new drink of choice in the movie Carte Blanche. You’ll never be embarrassed to serve this to guests – unless they are Francais – and the $15 – $17 price is right, too.
Robert Parker: 89 points Wine Spectator: 83 points
DESSERT
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2005 4.5 stars Think honeysuckle on steroids. Light, sweet and schweet! Take your dinner party from standard to snazzy, with this wine. First made in 1685, it was a favorite of Napoleon’s – who kept the royal rack stocked in exile – and was the subject of musings by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. James Bond will also be drinking it like a king is his upcoming flick, Carte Blanche. Wine Spectator: 94 points
JUST ARRIVED IN THE STATES AND COMING SOON ……..CREATION WINES
Creation Merlot 2010 4.5 stars Put your Sideways sensibilities aside, and indulge in a nice, smooth, soothes-the-nostrils red. One taste and you’ll wonder why you ever stopped drinking merlot. Creation, a young, hip Walker Bay winery, is producing more impressive wines every year, and now, at long last, will soon be available in the states.
Creation Pinot Noir 2010 4 stars Yet another pinot on the rise from the Walker Bay region – and making a splash with the ZA critics. Smell those beautiful berries, take in this soft, supple wine. Polished.
Creation Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Verdot 2010 3.5 stars Super sleek. Full of deep, dark fruit flavors, it’s complex, but svelte. Most alluring.
ZA ONLY/NOT AVAILABLE IN US WINES
Graham Beck Pheasant’s Run Sauvignon Blanc 2011 5 stars Sauvignon blanc Heaven on Earth(y) – featured in Back to the Wild Life. SB lovers, beware: one sip and you’ll be proposing to this wine. You won’t want to live without it. This is the second year in a row this wine earned Platter’s vaunted five star ratings.
Cape Point Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010 4.5 stars With so many great ZA SBs to choose from, it can be tough to separate the good from the greats – but here’s yet another release which rates top shelf this year. Platter’s says it simply like this: “Compelling.”
Wine Spectator: 91 points Robert Parker: 92 points
Creation Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2011 3.5 stars This increasingly popular ZA blend is a sauvignon blanc lover’s delight. The kiss of dry semillon rounds out the bolder edges of the SB, making for an exceptionally light and elegant white wine. Soft, intoxicating, and as a wine made to age well, it should only get better with time. This is Creation’s first vintage of the blend, so the critics aren’t likelyrushing to be gushing – but I’d bet good money you’ll see many more stars from Platters on this one down the road.
Stellenrust “45” Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2010 4.5 stars This one’s a rare beast indeed – a truly elegant chenin, full of the classic tropical fruitiness, yet with amazing restraint, thanks to a small blend of barrel-oaked grapes in the mix. The pros have dubbed it “ageworthy.”
Newton Johnson Domaine 2010 5 stars Surfer dude/winemaker Dave Johnson has managed to pull off a macker with this superb pinot, scoring Platters’ five star rating for the third consecutive year. Given the estate’s consistent quality, and its location on the Hemel-en-Aarde (Walker Bay) wine route – a cool-climed region reknowned for producing some of the country’s finest pinots – some are already calling NJ the unquestionable king of ZA pinots.
Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2010 4.5 stars Yet another “glass of class” from one of the denizens of the Walker bay pinot houses – already showing its pedigree despite its tender, young age. Like NJ, a pinot lover’s delight.
Kaapzicht Steytler range Pinotage 2010 4.5 stars Wikkid! Intense, big oak, bone dry, yet plush pinotage. Take it slow, and savor the flavor.
Luddite Shiraz 2007 4.5 stars Bodacious beaut from a boutique, “technology-resistant” producer (i.e., greenie grower, au natural) committed to making wine with as little intervention as possible. A beautiful spice that will entice, and make everything nice. World class.
Warwick Cabernet Franc 2008 5 stars The pros call it “layered, complex,” and say its masterly oaking adds a “cigarbox note.” My take: “premium cab light,” super succulent, and just plain awesome! The best news of all is that it’s just getting started – this one should get better every year into the next decade.
Vergenoegd Estate Reserve Red Blend 2002 4 stars You more or less have to put your tongue in a blender to pronounce the name of this winery (See Spot Run version: “Fair-ga-nukt”), but after that, it’s easy sailing on the mouth – this velvety, red blend is about as smooth as they come. Go to this world-clase Stellenbosch wine estate to drink its trophy reds, stay to watch the parade of 500 working ducks (they eat the slugs off the grapes) coming and going to the field.
Thelema Rabelais Red Blend 2008 (not yet rated, previous years 4+ stars) 16th Century French writer Rabelais, famed for his hedonistic tales and flaunting the Puritanical church of his time, is the inspiration for estate name Thelema, where one could “do what thou will,” and the namesake of this rich, flamboyant cab merlot (80/20) blend. Ooh la la! Nice, maybe even wickedly naughty. C’est magnifique!