South Africa

Question 1

Pale lemon

Pronounced aromas of citrus (lemon, grapefruit), herbaceous (grass, green pepper), green fruit (gooseberry), oak (cedar, walnuts, hazelnut), wet stones.

Dry, high acid, med alc, med body, med (+) intensity with aromas mirroring the nose; med (-) finish with lingering acidity and a slight bitterness. Green fruit character; it has some fruit concentration and varietal definition; less intense on the palate, shorter finish than expected for an outstanding wine. Very good.

Answer 1

Wine

Region: Western Cape

Jancis Robinson tasted the 2014 vintage and mentioned that there were two batches, one done oxidatively

100% Sauvignon blanc

Not enough info on producer / wine.

Question 2

Pale lemon

Pronounced aromas of citrus (lime, lemon), green fruit (gooseberry), floral (elderflower), herbaceous (grass), tropical fruits (pineapple, passion fruit, kiwi, lychee).

Dry, med(+) acid, med alc, med body, pronounced aromas mirroring nose, long finish; it displays varietal character, and defined aromas; it has a riper fruit charater and tropical notes; for an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, I’d expect more fruit concentration and higher level of acidity.

This is a good wine

Answer 2

Wine

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

Ninth vintage of the Small couple.

Not enough info about the producer on Naked wines website.

Question 3

Pale lemon

Pronounced aromas of green fruit (gooseberry), citrus (grapefruit, lemon), floral (elderflower), tropical (passion fruit, kiwi, pineapple), autolytic (pastry, dough). This is an aromatic wine

Dry, high acid, med alc, med(+) body (slightly oily texture), pronounced aromas mirroring the nose, long & lingering finish; ripe fruit character, very well defined aromas; great varietal definition. This is an outstanding wine.

Answer 3

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand.

Wine: vineyard at higher elevation (200m ASL), longer hanging time; 12 months on its lees adds texture and body

Question 4

Deep ruby

Pronounced, aromas of black fruit (black plum, blackberry, black cherry), floral (lavender), oak (cedar, subtle vanilla, nutmeg, coffee, chocolate), herbal (mint, dried herbs, fennel ), preserved black fruit (blackberry, black plum, black cherry), tertiary (tobacco, raisin); ripe & preserved fruit character; varietal definition, great oak integration.

Dry, med(+) acid, high alc, med(+) tannins (ripe, soft), full body, pronounced aromas that mirror the nose, long & evolving finish with a nutiness developing right at the end (walnuts). Great fruit concentration, well defined aromas and varietal definition;

This is an outstanding wine, suitable for further ageing.

Answer 4

Stellenbosch, South Africa

12 months in 1/3 NOF, 1/3 2nd fill, 1/3 3rd fill

Jacques Malan used to be GP in Stellenbosch

Vineyars are situated between 350 - 540m ASL.

State is situated on th slopes of the Jonkersoek Mountains, overlooking the Banghoek valley

Question 5

medium gold

Pronounced intensity

Citrus (lemon zest, lemon pith), green fruit (apple, pear), stone fruit (peach), tropical (melon, green pineapple), oak (toast, vanilla, cloves), herbal (fennel & thyme), well-defined aromas, good concentration of fruit; ‘just ripe’ fruit character

Dry, high acidity, medium alcohol, medium-bodied, flavours mirror aromas; medium (+) intensity, long & persistent finish, with notes of apples, green pineapple, toast, cedar & almonds.

Question 6

clear, medium ruby in colour

Medium intensity with well-defined aromas.

floral (roses & violets), red fruit (strawberry, cranberry, raspberry), oak (vanilla, toast, cedar), subtle notes of forest floor, wet leaves & caramel.

Dry, soft medium acidity, medium firm, fine-grained tannins, high alcohol, medium intensity, with terciary flavours more noticeable on the palate than on the nose, medium finish with lingering cranberry and terciary notes.

Answer 6

Carmen Stevens - first black female winemaker in SA

Pinotage

In 1924 Abraham Perold, from the University of Stellenbosch, crossed Pinot Noir and Cinsault, then known as Hermitage in SA, hence the contraction Pinotage.

Question 7

Deep ruby

medium (+) intensity

red fruits (raspberry, plum, red cherry), black fruits (blackberry), floral (violet), oak influence (vanilla, cedar, chocolate), sweet tobacco; dried herbs (thyme, oregano); ripe fruit character on the nose, without being jammy;

Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium (+) tannins (fine grained and ripe), high alcohol, medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity, flavour mirror nose, medium (+) finish with lingering notes of red cherry and chocolate

Answer 7

Rainbow’s End

100% Cabernet Franc, planted at 450m ASL, hand-harvested

Aged for 12 months in 50% new, 25% 2nd fill and 25% 3rd use French oak.

Bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Question 8

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