October Featured Wines – 2023 Backsberg Gravel Road Chenin Blanc & 2020 Backsberg Blueberry Row Pinotage, South Africa

October 10, 2024 · by ·

This month’s wines are from South Africa. Backsberg Wines have a long history in South Africa starting with the immigration of Charles Back from Lithuania in 1902. Charles settled in Paarl in the Western Cape Province. (This area is now called the Western Cape Winelands, a coastal wine region.) Charles began as a butcher then became a farmer and wine grower when his son Sydney joined him in the family business. From then until now five generations of the Back family have grown their wine business making modern accomodations to produce sustainable wines and becoming carbon neutral.

2023 Backsberg Gravel Road Chenin Blanc $15

This Chenin Blanc has juicy peach, floral and mango aromas. It has hints of honey sweetness and a slightly fuller body that is versatile and goes well with creamy or spicy dishes. Nice on its own. Alcohol: 13%

2020 Backsberg Blueberry Row Pinotage $18

This is a juciy yet gentle Pinotage. It showcases notes of mocha, cinnamon and wild blueberries reflecting its origin. This fruity style wine makes it lovely on its own as well served with hearty food. Alcohol: 14%

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July Featured Wines – 2017 Rustenberg Winery, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa & 2017 Barista Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa

July 1, 2018 · by ·

 

2017 Rustenberg Winery, Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa  $11

This is the maiden vintage of Chenin Blanc produced by Rustenberg. While Chenin Blanc has not been planted on the estate since the late 1980’s there is an abundance of superb bush vine Chenin Blanc in Stellenbosch, which was discovered in sourcing fruit for Rustenberg’s  Straw Wine each vintage. Grapes were hand harvested from 4 different bush vine blocks, 20 to 35 years old, in the Bottelary sub-region of Stellenbosch. It is 100% Chenin Blanc grown in Alluvial Gravels and Clay. This wine is a Rustenberg take on a varietal synonymous with South Africa. It has aromas of pineapple and yellow pear which follow through to a crisp, textured palate complemented by characters of citrus 13.5%

 

2017 Barista Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa $14

In the unique world of creating distinctive wines, winemaker Bertus Fourie is a legend. He earned the nickname ‘Starbucks’ for his exceptional skill in producing the coffee-flavored Barista Pinotage. Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and cherry, with subtle savoury hints this Pinotage says deep black fruit with a sumptuous nose. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit. Drink on its own or with red meat dishes or your favorite pizza. This is a wine that stands up to summer barbecue beef. Alcohol: 13.5%

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March Featured Wines – 2017 Good Hope Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape, South Africa & 2016 Good Hope Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

March 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Good Hope Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa     $10

Good Hope Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa is sourced from a 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the Western Cape region east of Cape Town. It typifies the Southern Hemisphere style with depth and crispness. This is a nice dry wine that goes with foods with distinctive seasoning or it may be enjoyed as an easy “sipper.” Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2016 Good Hope Vineyards Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa    $10

Good Hope Vineyards Pinotage, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa is an easy drinking Pinotage, South Africa’s signature varietal. While many associate this grape with Pinot Noir, that is a misconception. Pinotage more closely resembles Syrah. It is deeply colored, high in tannins and has a decent amount of acidity which makes it perfect to pair with bold foods – Indian curry, spicy sausages. Alcohol: 14%

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July Featured Wines – 2014 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc & 2013 Southern Right Pinotage, South Africa

July 1, 2015 · by ·

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2014 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay, South Africa      $14

This Sauvignon Blanc is produced by Hamilton Russell Vineyards, one of the most southerly wine Estates in Africa and one of the closest to the sea in South Africa. It is a crisp, dry and juicy Sauvignon Blanc  with generous tropical fruit and racy acidity. This fresh, bright and lively wine has good depth and nice length. This is a great summer wine for shellfish, fish or light chicken dishes. Alcohol: 13%

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2013 Southern Right Pinotage, Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa        $24

Wine Spectator gives this vintage 90 points due to the ripe and stylish presentation of the varietal with a blend of 92.2 % Pinotage, 4.4% Malbec, 2.3% Syrah and Petit Verdot 1.1%  With this vintage Southern Right is re-defining Pinotage as a intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. This wine has full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa’s unique grape variety. Yes, this is a great summer wine to uncork for grilled barbecued ribs and hamburgers.  Alcohol: 14%

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