South Africa

This is a blend of 44% Tinta Barocca, 44% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 4% Cinsault, and 1% Carignan.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, char and spice.  On the palate, this is a bit tart.  Black cherry fruits with underlying char/ash.  Moderate acidity.  It drinks like a nice Cotes du Rhone.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  Nice on its own, this would work better with pizza or a burger.  

Protea is apparently the national flower of South Africa.  The bottle is clear but covered with stenciled white flowers.  Very unusual and well done.  Silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has pears and slight mint.  Light bodied.  On the palate, tart apples but also some oranges.  Nice texture.  moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with lighter foods such as seafood salads.  Drink over the next few years.  

Gold in color with green hues.  The nose has seltzer, limes and a scent that many of us trying thought cannabis.  On the palate, this lacks much acidity.  Lime fruits with a bit of candied lemon.  Moderate finish.  It is tasty and easy to drink.  Drink over the next couple of years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with lighter salads.  

Yellow gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight initially, giving way to honey and peach.  Light bodied.  On the palate, slight orange notes with some apple.  A hint of sweetness.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with lighter salads.  drink over the next couple of years.  

Yellow Gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has seltzer and lime.  On the palate, the limes come thru.  There is also a bit of vanilla.  Flat on the finish.  This drinks easy and forward.  Drink on its own or with lighter foods.  Chicken salad would be a nice choice.  Drink over the next few years.  

This comes off very much like a Loire Sauvignon Blanc.  Silvery gold in color.  The nose has cat pee/alfalfa/grassiness or whatever you want to call that quality.  Also some lemon candied notes.  On the palate, there is moderate acidity but a nice texture.  Grassy with lemons.  Shorter finish.  Easy drinking this will work better with food.  Crab or Tuna salad would be a good accompaniment.  Drink now.  

This is the second wine from the Mullineux Family of wines, one of South Africa's best producers.  This is a very nice value and finished as the group's favorite in a recent tasting.  Yellow gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lemon candy, peach and spice.  On the palate, lemons and peach with moderate acidity.  Medium finish.  This drinks easy and well on its own and will work well with seafood dishes.  Drink over the next year or two.  

Made from Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier, this is a very nice value in white wines.  It retails around $10 and did very well in our tasting of South African White wines.  Yellow/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples and some wax.  On the palate, this has a soft but plush texture.  Apples and some pink grapefruit.  Refreshing.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with curries.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

Golden in color with a touch of green.  The nose has a bit of honey and a slight floral (peach blossoms?) note.  Light bodied.  Tart on the palate.  Peaches.  A bit of apple cider on the end suggesting this may be heading south.  Still providing some enjoyment.  Drink now.  Nice on its own, this will work with salads and even lighter spicy foods.  

Nice showing despite this being a few vintages old.  Salmon pink in color.  The nose has strawberries and cherries.  Light to medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, notes of cherries and some oranges.  Nice texture.  This was probably better a year or two ago as it lacked the freshness these wines can have.  That said, it is still very enjoyable.  Drink now.  This would work with a wide variety of foods from chicken salad to a burger.