2019 Black Pearl Vineyards Chenin Blanc Black Pearl, South Africa, Swartland, Chenin Blanc, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

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.  

2019 Badenhorst Family Wines Chenin Blanc Secateurs, South Africa, Swartland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

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.  

2018 DeMorgenzon Chardonnay DMZ, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

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.  

2020 Aslina Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

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.  

2020 Mullineux Family Chenin Blanc Kloof Street Old Vine, South Africa, Swartland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

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.  

2019 Badenhorst Family Wines The Curator White Blend, South Africa, Swartland, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$10.00USD

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.  

2019 Cape Venture Lubanzi Wines Chenin Blanc, South Africa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

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.  

2018 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, South Africa, Coastal Region, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

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.  

2011 Hobel Wine Works Cabernet Sauvignon Engelhard Vineyard, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

2011 was a challenging vintage in Napa but for some wineries it offered a chance to find wines that are ready a bit earlier than most vintages.  That was true for Hobel and their winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, slight spice/oak and a hint of fresh herbs.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth.  Cassis with a bit of an herbal streak.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This seems to be at peak but should drink well for another eight to ten years.  It drinks better with food.  Pasta with Bolognaise sauce is

2016 Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

From on of the top Syrah vineyards in Santa Barbara County.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, slight bacon fat, black olives and roasted herbs.  Wonderful texture.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and slight dry earthiness.  This is delicious if a bit young.  This will get a bit better over the next few years.  Let it cellar for another five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  It will drink great on its own and work well with roasted pork or even Indian food.  

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