South Africa after South Africa

Lardo
Tasted Friday, October 31, 2025 by NickA with 45 views

Introduction

We had dinner at a local Italian after The Wine Society's South Africa walkaround tasting. None of the wines were flawed, but I think I'd rather have been drinking Chianti :-/

Flight 1 (6 Notes)

  • NV Denny Bini Lambrusco di Modena 88 Points

    Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco di Modena

    Dark red. Simple but tasty, gently fizzy, concentrated and (almost too) jammy purple fruit. Not particularly natty. Quaffable and good with the starters.

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  • 2020 Alheit Vineyards Sémillon Monument 90 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Franschhoek Valley

    Ready, and fizzing with energy, but somehow not a huge amount of interest. Not as lean as many young Semillons, with plenty of fruit (albeit clearly in a lemon/lime register), a hint of salinity, and good cut... and not a huge amount else. Curious to see how this develops.

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  • 2017 Spier Frans K Smit 92 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    This is classy stuff. A well-integrated Bordeaux blend with well-judged oak. At a nice place between the fruitiness of youth and the cigar-y development of maturity. More freshness than some, too.

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  • 2015 Savage Wines Red Blend 87 Points

    South Africa, Western Cape

    Disappointing given the wine's reputation. Didn't examine it too closely, but it seemed a bit tired, as though it came from a warm vintage, and lacked complexity. Apparently this was the final wine in this series that was a blend rather than being Syrah-dominant, and I'm glad the style has moved on.

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  • 2013 Kanonkop Paul Sauer 89 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

    Too young, really. Big fruit, quite sweet and extracted, and quite a bit of oak. This is the style of New World wine that doesn't excite me.

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  • 2004 Vergelegen Vergelegen 89 Points

    South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

    To be honest, another Bordeaux blend was the last thing I wanted at this stage, so I'm probably being unfair, but... for me this lacked charm or definition, even though there was nothing out of place.

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