Last week I had the chance to interview Pieter Badenhorst, winemaker at Fleur du Cap and Natasha Williams, winemaker at Nederburg. Both wineries are located in South Africa. I was recently impressed with the 2012 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay which easily out performs it’s price point and is essential affordable summer drinking.
I don’t have much experience with South African wine. However, I do remember when I turned 19 seeing cases of Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon around the house as it is one of my parents “go to” red wines. To this day my parents are still enjoying the Nederburg Cab Sauv.
Pieter explained to me that he is working towards creating wines that he will one day be able to share with his young children. Unfortunately not every wine will age indefinitely but most will last for a few years on your wine rack or cellar. It is not easy to create wines that will age for 19-21 years. But at least one of the wines from Fleur du Cap will definitely last that long.
I spoke with Pieter and Natasha about the challenge of creating consistent wines on a large scale but they countered that the biggest challenge with winemaking in general is about getting bottles into the hands of new customers.
2013 Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest – Unfortunately it will be difficult to get your hands on this small batch wine in Canada. If you are a fan of Icewine you will love this wine. Made mainly with Chenin Blanc you have a wine with great flavours of Peach and Apricot with nice acidity. This is the sort of wine to sip on a patio with hot weather and charcuterie, or if you’re feeling like really getting a taste of summer smoked sausages off the grill in all their salty and fatty goodness will pair perfectly with this wine. Just because we call a wine a “dessert wine” doesn’t mean you should serve it with dessert. What is most interesting about this wine is that statistically speaking it is very similar to an Icewine (235 g/l residual sugar, 9.1% alcohol) as opposed to a Canadian late harvest which typically has half the sugar. This will easily age for 18-30 years.
2013 Fleur du Cap Chardonnay – LCBO 358960 – $12.80 – Currently the LCBO is carrying the 2012 vintage. But the 2013 comes available you will have some of the same and some different to look forward to. The texture is still very nice with a bit of vanilla and a creaminess to the finish but the fruit on the wine is more Apple and less tropical. Just like 2012 this will be something to look forward to especially at this price.
2012 The Young Airhawk Wooded Sauvignon Blanc (Nederburg) – I have often said that a wine that is the complete package has a snappy label, is well priced and tastes great. This is another wine you don’t see very often… a barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc. The wine in the bottle is unique and fantastic. Exciting tropical flavours are on the palate, but you will really notice the creamy texture with well integrated smoky flavours. The story behind the label is that Arnold Graue was the son of a pioneer of modern winemaking in South Africa passed away in a tragic plane crash. This will pair well with all sorts of seafood or chicken dishes or very well on its own.
2011 Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon (Nederburg) – This is a very nice BIG Cab Sauv. Lots of Smoke and Cocoa on the finish with very firm tannin. This wine is drinking great right now but does need some time in a decanter before serving. If you have the patience this will go for 7-10 years in your cellar. For summer this is what you would serve with Beef or Lamb off the grill.
