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Cape of Good Wine

cape of good wine | Sipping my way through the Cape Winelands | A South African Wine Blog

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Cape of Good Wine

cape of good wine | Sipping my way through the Cape Winelands | A South African Wine Blog

About
- Contact Me
- Sample Policy
Musings & Ramblings
Learn with me
Interviews
Musings & Ramblings
Wine Reviews
Learn with me
- What's the Grape?
- Wine Regions
  - Constantia Wine Route
Wine Wise

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Nitida Riesling 2018

Nitida Riesling 2018

Illimis Riesling 2016

Illimis Riesling 2016

Saurwein Chi 2018

Migliarina Riesling 2016

Migliarina Seitensprung Riesling 2016

Hartenberg Riesling 2017

Hartenberg Riesling 2017

Oak Valley Riesling 2018

Oak Valley Stone & Steel Riesling 2018

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Saldanha Wine & Spirit Co Pale Dry No. 17 Number

Saldanha Wine & Spirit Co Pale Dry No. 17

Number 17…that’s how long it’s taken me to finally save a bottle for a pic. I remember tasting this many years ago before it was released…a wine event geared at more unusual wines. SA dry ‘sherry’ was definitely unusual despite our long history of making these wines. It’s become a holiday festive fave…that sells out super fast…no surprise, given that it’s a Badenhorst product.

Pale gold with quintessential acetaldehyde that smacks you in the face…followed by zesty lemon peel and bitter chamomile/feverfew and grapefruit pith (when you can smell that pith 🤣), bruised apple flesh and and squeaky Grannysmith skins, tart dried apricots, almond skins, and varnish.

Dry, mediumish bodied, soooo concentrated it’s hard to concentrate 🤣, higher acidity, and a decent finish. Those first few sips are not shy…I want to say wild horses, but a more relatable analogy is a Ridgeback bowling you over as the front door opens for a walkies: powerful, singleminded determination, and a bit oblivious to its chaotic energy.

But give it a moment and the biting austerity calms down…allowing you to appreciate the gentler fennel bulb, notice the tendrils of wood lacquer and woodsy brandy fumes swirling behind the citrus and apricot, and enjoy the saline seam that helps smooth the pithy texture. Longer pauses between sips (to do some homework…see rant in comments), sees the fennel convert to a medicinal wormwood.

So yeah, we are so not in Spain. The apricots and screaming acidity are undoubtedly Chenin Blanc. Google says there’s also Palomino…but I was thinking Sauv Blanc because it leaves you with mineral salivation. AA Badenhorst uses sherry yeasts imported from Spain, Swartland grapes, and ages under flor in Saldanha Bay and Kalmoesfontein Farm? One liner: buy what you can as soon as you can…if you like sherry.

Lustau Manzanilla Papirosa Speaking of wines that

Lustau Manzanilla Papirosa

Speaking of wines that instantly transport you to the sea. Tell me this Manzanilla isn’t a sunset walk along the coast, crunching on an apple to tide you over ‘til dinner…inspecting every rock pool while sea mist starts to roll in and envelop you…until a sudden crash and spray reminds you that the tide is turning…and you reluctantly, despite the goosebumps, head back…the soft, warm glow through the windows a beacon guiding you to the thatched cottage that your high school friend calls home.

Romantic? Insert shrieking kids, belly laughs when you step in a pool of stagnant seawater, and the kids voting for takeaway pizza instead of the fish tacos you’d planned. The kids were right…pizza is easier.

Hay and chamomile, kelp and sea fog, lemon zest flecks in a green apple granita.

Dry, lower acidity, light bodied, near imperceptible alcohol for me...and a longish finish. Almonds, fennel bulb and bread dough insist on joining the watery bruised apple flesh. The kids pull faces when they sniff my drink…delish!

Arniston Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2026 I’ve seen this

Hirsch Ried Lamm Kamptal Grüner Veltliner 2019 We

Hirsch Ried Lamm Kamptal Grüner Veltliner 2019

We’re days away from meteorological Spring. Tangent: I always wondered why people thought Spring Day was 1 September…yet I always remembered it as 21 September (astronomical spring is on the 22/23rd). It’s one of those funny primary school teachings/artefacts that stuck with me. But the sunrise, trees and birdies are clearly working with meteorological Spring.

Back on track: who am I to argue with the chirping birds…they are an accurate alarm clock/calendar reminder that it is Sauv Blanc season! But before I OD on SB, let’s ease into the Spring with a Grüner.

An elegant nose of white peaches, apples and limes. Vegetal celery juice but also a herbal green something. Cream soda minerality and a flint-like smokiness.

Dry but so juicy, fine zesty acidity, lighter bodied but with depth of flavour, smooth but with some textural pithy grip, and a decent length to the finish. Juicy juicy juicy ripe peaches and apples, distinctive minerality… and an intriguing subtle salty yeasty leesy note.

It’s another wonderful gift from @grzesiek.just.grzesiek who is having the most glorious summer - so worthwhile checking out his annual wine adventures/pilgramages! Tangent: primary school also taught us that summer starts when the 6 week December holiday started. 6 weeks of holiday - oh, to be a kid again!

Mount Abora Saffraan Cinsaut 2022 Sticking with t

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