My weekly wine - Tasting South Africa

My weekly wine, give me today - this week South Africa

The first wine is called The Wolftrap (2017) from Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek. 

The area is in the Coastal Region of the Western Cape and is one of the most important wine valleys in South Africa founded in the 17th Century by French settlers. The climate is warm with moderating effects of the coastal winds and the surrounding mountains. Which leads to rich, full-bodied, flavorful wines, mainly from Cabernet, Syrah.

The Wolftrap checks those boxes with its Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier blend.

The wine is still very young and does not show any aging characteristics instead it’s driven by black fruit, spices and herbs with a hint of oak influence. The wine balances acidity, alcohol and flavor intensity well, just fun to drink now or keep for a couple more years.

The second wine of my lineup is the Stellenbosch Syrah from Stark-Condé. This wine is made all organically from 3 different vineyards of the Stark-Condé estate. All hand-harvested and -sorted, cold soaked and co-fermented, with Viognier like in Côte Rôti, in small vats with about 10% whole bunches. The wine is aged for 20 months. 

On the nose there are red berry fruits with floral and spicy accents - violets and licorice. Structurally it is balanced; flavoring intensity, integrated tannins and high alcohol are creating this full body, bold drinking experience.  

Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s more prestigious wine growing areas, also in the Coastal Region of the Western Cape. The growing area is close to Cape Town and separated in the north by the Simonsburg Mountain from Paarl and to the east by the Hottentot Holland’s Mountains from Walker Bay. Cool coastal winds have a moderating effect on the otherwise warm Mediterranean climatic conditions. Souls are rich of clay which helps water retention and allows for dry farming and minimal irrigation techniques to concentrate fruit flavors in the grapes. Most planted are varietal are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinotage with Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc planted being planted on the coolest sites.

I really enjoyed those two examples of quality South African winemaking, which are not breaking the bank and pair wonderfully grilled or roasted dishes. 

Happy tasting - Prösterchen!