skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Vintage: 2008
Price Range: $15
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Region & Country: Franschhoek, South Africa
Grape Variety: Rosé (Syrah 75%; Cinsault 15%; Grenache Noir 10%)
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 7/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 3/16/2010
Appearance: Watered down cranberry juice; full-bodied
Nose: Non-candy sour apple scent; sweet floral scents
Taste: Sweet with a sour side; acidic citrus; tart
Finish: Sweetness lingers
Overall Impression: First, I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Rosé wines...not even at a wedding. This one was too tart for my liking. It wasn't very flavorful to begin with and I thought it would get better. You know how I feel about "critter wines." If it has an animal on it, it probably will taste different.
Overall Rating: 75/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2003
Price Range: $13
Producer: Remhoogte Estate
Region & Country: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape Variety: Red Blend (57% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% Merlot; 3% Pinotage)
Recommended By: Dean Noonan @ WineStyles
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 1/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home; 12/3/2009
Appearance: Dark cherry red; Full-bodied
Nose: Cherry, oak and vanilla
Taste: Spicy cherry, vanilla and oak; layered tastes
Finish: Cherry comes through more; lingers warmly on the throat
Overall Impression: This blend has a familiar flavor, as if I have drank it before. Despite being average, it's still pretty delicious. It has a nice spice and boldness on top of its great fruit flavor.
Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: **** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $13
Producer: Withington Vineyards
Region & Country: Western Cape, South Africa
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Recommended By: Dean w/ Winestyles
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 1/6/2009
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/23/2009
Appearance: Brilliant, light and pale gold; full-bodied
Nose: Artificial lemon (like lemonade), perfume and oak
Taste: Lemon, yet some lime; a little creamy; earth and oak; light on the tongue
Finish: Lingers; you can taste a powerful amount of alcohol - a warm burn
Overall Impression: This was a different type of Chardonnay. I found it more average than others, but definitely not in a bad way. This wine definitely had more citrus than creaminess, but overall had a great taste.
Overall Rating: 90/100
Overall Value: ***.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2007
Price Range: $22
Producer: Simonsig
Region & Country: Koelenhof, South Africa
Grape Variety: Brut Rose (Pinotage, 90%; Pinot Noir, 10%)
Recommended By: Wineclub
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 12/8/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 7/13/2009
Appearance: Dark pink; very bubbly
Nose: Slight fruit with a little grapefruit scent
Taste: Sweet with tangy bubbles; slightly acidic
Finish: Sweet and smooth aftertaste
Overall Impression: This was a great sparkling wine. It didn't have an overpowering sweetness or that ashy taste that some others get. This was more of a dessert bubbly.
Overall Rating: 87/100
Overall Value: **.5 / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2006
Price Range: $20
Producer: Engelbrecht Els Vineyard
Region & Country: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape Variety: Merlot
Recommended By: Wine Club
Place & Date Purchased: WineStyles, Evanston, IL - 08/04/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 09/02/2008
Dinner: Home-made mac & cheese with baked chicken
Appearance: Deep red with brown tones
Nose: Soft floral and fruit scent
Taste: Tart, then fruity; slightly acidic
Finish: Warm, slightly dry and acidic
Overall Impression: This Merlot was good with food. I think it would taste better with less spicy food, since I Cajuned up that chicken. It definitely tasted better with the mac & cheese. I think it would be great with cheese in general. I would definitely try it again, but by itself.
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2004
Price Range: $15
Producer: Durbanville Hills
Region & Country: Durbanville, South Africa
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Recommended By: N/A
Place & Date Purchased: Taste Food & Wine, Chicago, IL - 05/17/2008
Place & Date Tasted: Home - 06/17/2008
Appearance: Purple-ish black
Nose: Light, pepper scent
Taste: Light, fruity and berry
Finish: Acidic and warm
Overall Impression: I have had better when it comes to a Shiraz, but this one wasn't a complete let down. It might be better as a stand-alone wine.
Overall Rating: 88/100
Overall Value: *** / 5 Stars
Vintage: 2008
Posts
