Wine Spectator Insider ? Most Exciting New Wines
SOUTH AFRICA
4G WINES
A Tribute to C.P. Western Cape 2011
93 points | $350 | 140 cases imported | Red
A ripe, polished, broad style, with a large core of plum sauce, raspberry
ganache and blackberry paste flavors, allied to a graphite
edge that drives through the finish. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Best from 2015 through 2022.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Kokerboom Olifants River 2012
93 points | $206 | 30 cases imported | White
Gorgeous, with racy, intense straw, white peach, nectarine and
clementine notes, lined with a salted almond edge that gives the
finish spine and definition. A lingering floral hint adds length and
lift. Sémillon. Drink now through 2018.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Palladius Swartland 2011
93 points | $105 | 75 cases imported | White
Engaging, with green plum and green almond notes leading the
way, followed quickly by enticing pear, meringue and kaffir lime
flavors. Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanc, Viognier,
Chardonnay, Roussanne, Sémillon and Palomino. Drink now
through 2016.—J.M.
VILAFONTÉ
Series C Paarl 2011
93 points | $84 | 45 cases imported | Red
Very dense, with a loamy hint backing the core of licorice snap,
black currant paste and warm fig fruit. This shows ample grip but
remains polished and integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec
and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2019.—J.M.
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BARTINNEY
Chardonnay Stellenbosch 2012
92 points | $25 | 300 cases imported | White
A deliciously ripe, juicy core of yellow apple, pear, dried pineapple
and green almond flavors stretches out here, with racy acidity
lining the deftly toasted finish. Shows lovely fruit, with well-buried
minerality. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
KEN FORRESTER
The Gypsy Western Cape 2010
92 points | $65 | 50 cases imported | Red
Alluring, with a lightly mulled edge to the core of red currant,
plum and raspberry fruit, while dark tea, cocoa and smoldering
tobacco notes hang through the finish. Grenache, Syrah and
Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Pofadder Swartland 2012
92 points | $58 | 90 cases imported | Red
A stylish, perfumy wine, with alluring singed sandalwood, rooibos
tea, red currant, white pepper, floral and blood orange notes all
woven together and carrying through a long, silky finish. Cinsault.
Drink now through 2017.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Skerpioen Swartland 2012
92 points | $53 | 40 cases imported | White
A pure, chiseled style, with white peach, jicama, honeysuckle and
salted almond notes, giving way to subtle brioche and shortbread
hints through the long, finely tuned finish. Palomino and Chenin
Blanc. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Skurfberg Olifants River 2012
92 points | $53 | 75 cases imported | White
Shortbread, chamomile and macadamia nut notes lead the way
here, with alluring lemon curd, heather and white peach flavors
filling in behind them. Offers a long, stylish finish. Chenin Blanc.
Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Soldaat Piekenierskloof 2012
92 points | $63 | 90 cases imported | Red
Distinctive, with bright pine and white pepper notes out front,
followed by silk-textured cherry and Damson plum fruit. Picks up
steam through the finish, with rooibos tea and blood orange hints
adding length and cut. Grenache. Drink now through 2018.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
‘T Voetpad Swartland 2012
92 points | $70 | 40 cases imported | White
A bright, pure style, with lovely Key lime, Meyer lemon, meringue,
white peach, dried chamomile flower and green almond notes
all laced together. Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, Palomino and Muscat
d’Alexandrie. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
VILAFONTÉ
Series M Paarl 2011
92 points | $56 | 110 cases imported | Red
Ripe and focused, with a solid core of dark currant, crushed
blackberry and steeped plum fruit, studded with anise, charcoal
and dark tobacco notes. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Drink now through 2017.—J.M.
VINS D’ORRANCE
Syrah Western Cape Cuvée Ameena 2010
92 points | $40 | 100 cases imported | Red
Perfumy incense and singed balsa wood notes meld into a core of
crushed plum, cherry preserves and melted red licorice. Rich and
broad. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
DE WETSHOF
Chardonnay Robertson Bateleur 2011
91 points | $53 | 1,200 cases imported | White
Lovely, with a mature, creamy edge to the core of green melon,
yellow apple and heather flavors. Judicious toast is integrated
through the finish, which has a languid feel overall. Sneaky acidity
to keeps this balanced and defined. Drink now through 2015.—J.M.
SADIE FAMILY
Treinspoor Swartland 2012
91 points | $53 | 50 cases imported | Red
A perfumed sandalwood note weaves out from the core of subtle
plum, cherry and tobacco leaf flavors. White pepper and iron accents
line the finish, leaving the sandalwood detail lingering. Tinta
Barocca. Drink now through 2017.—J.M.
VINS D’ORRANCE
Chenin Blanc Western Cape Kama 2012
91 points | $33 | 200 cases imported | White
A creamy, deftly toasted style, with macadamia nut, brioche and
salted butter aromas and flavors leading the way, followed by alluring
white peach and chamomile hints on the finish. Has weight,
length and cut. Drink now through 2015.—J.M.
DE WETSHOF
Chardonnay Robertson Bon Vallon 2013
90 points | $20 | 1,000 cases imported | White
Bright and juicy, with a floral edge alongside the core of green
almond, green fig and pear flavors. Bright, finely beaded acidity
stitches up the finish. Drink now through 2015.—J.M.
EIKENDAL
Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2011
90 points | $23 | 59 cases imported | Red
A polished, modern style, with a core of pure cassis augmented by
notes of violet, red licorice and singed vanilla, backed by a long,
fine-grained finish that lets an alluring ganache element linger.
Drink now through 2017.—J.M.
HOT WINES
SADIE FAMILY
Columella Swartland 2011
94 points | $130 | 1100% cases imported | Red
Rich, ripe and remarkably stylish, this lets layers of plum sauce,
steeped blackberry and black currant pâte de fruit unfurl, while
notes of ganache, espresso and graphite provide spine and direction
on the finish. Presents a lovely anise echo. Drink now through
2020. From South Africa.—J.M.
A.A. BADENHORST FAMILY
Swartland 2010
93 points | $45 | 328 cases imported | Red
Offers an aromatic mix of sage, white pepper and olive, followed
by bitter cherry, damson plum and red currant paste flavors. A
chalky thread stitches the finish, marrying the savory and fruit elements.
Has the depth to cellar. Shiraz, Grenache, Cinsault and Tinta
Barocca. Best from 2015 through 2018. From South Africa.—J.M.
Excerpt from Wine Spectator Insider Vol 10, No 16, April 30, 2014