South Africa
Four knowledgeable and convivial winemakers gave some very happy tasters a lot of insights leavened with good humor. And that was before we get to the wines, which were very, very good, in a couple of instances extraordinary.
May 4, 2023
Four knowledgeable and convivial winemakers gave some very happy tasters a lot of insights leavened with good humor. And that was before we get to the wines, which were very, very good, in a couple of instances extraordinary.
The Excelsior wines showed great value for very low prices. Their Syrah stood for a fine high-toned, if lighter, resembling far more expensive American Central Coast Syrahs. The Cabernet was nicely rounded also.
Bruno Colin's two chardonnays were an interesting pair. The South African Topiary was full and rounded without any oak, great wine at the price. His Bourgogne Blanc hit all the right notes in a great vintage.
Two Bordeaux-styled reds stood out and were well worth trying. The Thaaibosch Crescendo evoked a St. Emilion with a large proportion of sweet-spiced cabernet franc. Medium-bodied and well-poised, it was a joy to taste, the favorite for many
Glenelly's Lady May had a character very much like that of its owner, previous Chateau Pichon Lalande, in a very ripe vintage. It was young but accessible with air, mouth-filling and satisfying also. Also, the Glenelly Estate Reserve was a Bordeaux blend that was nicely mature and very satisfying at a price.
All are highly recommended.
White
2022 Excelsior Sauvignon Blanc; Aroma: Light heady, full, very sweet intense; Mouth: Rounded sweet, pretty intense, clean long; Good Plus - Very Good $9.99; Case, $8.49
2022 Excelsior Chardonnay; Aroma: Heady, light, pretty ripe, clean, very pretty full; Mouth: Light, clean sweet ripe fruit, simple direct; Good Plus - Very Good $9.99; Case, $8.49
2019 Glenelly Chardonnay; Color: Very dense, intense rather full, fast, juicy herbal; Aroma: Rich, intense rather full Mouth: Clean sweet fruit dense, fine acid green appley; Very Good Plus $21.99; Case, $18.69
2021 Topiary Chardonnay; Aroma: Light wood, fine acid, very pretty full; Mouth: Nice richness and intensity; VeryGood Plus $22.99; Case, $19.54
Red
2020 Excelsior Syrah; Color: Light purple; Aroma: Fresh light very pretty,, fresh; Mouth: Heady bright clean fine acidity; Very Good $9.99; Case, $8.49
2020 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon; Aroma: Very dark, very pretty light forward; Mouth: Bright, clean firm, in the finish, pretty sweet acid length; Very Good $9.99; Case, $8.49
2019 Glenelly Cabernet Sauvignon Glass Collection; Color: Very dark; Mouth: Sweet, rounded, fully smooth, good acidity; Very Good $15.99; Case, $13.59
2015 Glenelly Estate Reserve; Color: Very dark; Aroma: Very heady, vibrant, very pretty, rounded forward, deep and dark; Mouth: Very rich and full, heady, sweetly intense full, bright, firm, fine finish, long b balanced; Very Good - Excellent $26.99; Case, $22.94
2018 Taaibosch Crescendo; Aroma: Light fragrant, sweet pretty fruit, very heady forward, very pretty with a dark sweet note; Mouth: Clean, very cab franc, bright but round in the mouth, bright, very clean, fine light tannins on the finish, very, very long; Excellent $42; Case, $35.7
2017 Glenelly Lady May; Color: Very dark; Aroma: Very heady and rich, very full, young, very rich, very full, a touch of graphite; Mouth: Nicely ripe, very full, warm, smooth., dark tannin, very long; Excellent $55; Case, $46.75
Mix any twelve or more wines at their tasting prices.
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- Len Rothenberg
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