(2022) It's several years since I last tasted this cuvée, and I note that 10 years ago the price was the same then as it is now. It's a gently French-oaked Chardonnay, with delicate aromas of nectarine and nougat. In the mouth nectarine again, and ripe Ogen melon, the rosy red apple acidity balances nicely with easy-drinking appeal. A very cleverly made Chardonnay, even a whisper of flint in its character, designed to be crowd-pleasing, which it surely is, at a very modest price. Watch the video for more information.
(2022) Part wild fermentation and part-aged in French oak. delightful creaminess and toast on the nose, all crushed almond and oatmeal. Delightful fruit too, with hints of pineapple and mango, but the clean pear and citrus acidity adds a fine line, etching the sweet fruit through to the palate.
(2021) South African take on Georgia's traditional winemaking, 54% Shiraz and 46% Grenache, fermented and aged on the skins in 'qvevri' (traditional clay amphora) for three months, then a further six months in qvevri without skins or stems. The nose has a certain meatiness and very dark, lightly smoky and earthy aromatics. With a little time in the glass a certain floral high note is just discernable. In the mouth the fruit is submerged beneath those firm, dark-edged characters, liquorice and bittersweet damson and plum skins, a roughening grip of tannins and plenty of balancing acidity. It's a serious, chewy, fairly uncompromising mouthful of wine, though not one for those seeking a fruit-forward style.
(2021) Stressing its natural credentials, this is fermented with wild yeasts from old vine fruit, not organic, but sustainably farmed. The nose is peachy-creamy with a hint of lemon meringue pie, but the wild yeast does give that little bready, lightly spicy note too. In the mouth it has a really nice texture, a little bit of grip, and that downy peach character is buttressed by firm salts and lemons acidity, into a decent length of finish. Very easy to sip, yet has a bit of real character too. Watch my video review for more information.
(2020) Mourvèdre labelled as coming from the coastal region of South African viticulture, which covers many well-known wine regions, though the Lidl website says Stellenbosch specifically. At £5.99 what do you expect? Well in this case a delicious gluggable spicy and fruity red, dark bramble and pepper aromas leading on to a smooth palate with plum and ripe blackberry fruit, not a lot of tannin to speak of, but enough grip to give it some savoury and barbecue-friendly appeal for sure.
(2019) Carsten Migliarina sourced fruit for this wine from two 35-year-old bush vine vineyards in Swartland and Stellenbosch. Whole bunch pressed, 50% was naturally fermented in barrel and 50% inoculated in steel tanks. It's a beautifully clear and uncluttered expression of Chenin, barely influenced by the wood, and yet completely avoiding the tanky, pear-drop character of some commercial Chenins, to give a wine with intensity, fabulous sweet fruit concentration, and a dazzling, punchy array of acids sparking in the mouth. Unusual and excellent. Not listed in UK retailers at time of review, but imported by Uncharted Wines.
(2019) Coastal Region wine, from 1980s vineyards in Stellenbosch and Pearl. A deeply coloured, powerful wine, plenty of substantial presence, slightly meaty nose, a touch of green-tinged dry and ashy character, with lots of sweet fruit, touched with a leafy, savoury character in the finish. The blend is 30/70 Alicante and Tempranillo.
(2019) An aptly named blend of mostly Syrah with Mourvèdre, Grenache and – surprise surprise – Tannat, the great grape of Madiran that’s rarely seen in a ‘GSM’ blend. Very appealing on the nose, with white pepper indeed, spice and a soulful depth of berry fruit. In the mouth a generous, rich and smooth wine, overflowing with dark fruits, sweet and ripe tannins, a discreet acidity and plenty of creamy and ripe flavours to make it wildly crowd-friendly – and a banker for this summer’s barbies. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.
(2016) A little bit of tanky, pear drop character, then honey and fat lemony fruit comes through, more luscious notes too. The palate is riven with orange and citrus, but great concentration and phenolic grip - a little too much? - massive salt and lemon presence. "A vintage for the record books," according to Kleine Zalze.
(2016) 40-year-old bush vines from Durbanville and from Stellenbosch, matured in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels for 18 months. Quite a high, slightly volatile character, with floral notes mixing with coffee and cough sweets. The palate has a sweet berry richness, a creamy and toasty mocha layer of oak, and a balanced finish.
