Tropical guava

Glass potato - I think this was corked but Anton the guy pouring the wine at the estate didn't seem interested at all to even discuss the wine and what we were tasting.

Very woody herbaceous with green wood throughout.

Syrah/cab/verdot with strong tannins 7/10

includes 2010 juice as well. There was no 2010 release.

Light fruity nose although no fruit on the palate.

Dark red color with a dry start which turns into a dark fruit with dry stone finish.

R425

Charcoal with a smoke nose. Very dark red almost carmenere like.

Good strong tannins at 7.5/10

R625

Moderate tannins 6.5/10 but a strong dry stone finish

Leather and black pepper on the nose.

Tannins at 7/10 with a dry rock finish like the merlot.

A hint of cheese and light chalk on the nose. Classic french dry style. Tannins at 7/10. This needs to warm up and age for a while (as do all of the R&V I believe - they all do better at closer to 10 years)

There is a lot more going on in this than the single varietals R&Vs. Tannins are strong at 7.5/10. Full bodied in the french style.

Heavy tannins 8/10

The nose may have put me off had I not known what it was and thus continued to enjoy it. Dirty toes, dark brown dirt, cheese, mushrooms and asparagus. Powerful tannins 8.5/10

Light party wine.

Light strawberry nose and gently delicate.

Ruby red with tobacco leather. Strong tannins 8/10.

The slight heat in the finish was concerning and I hope that is not the norm. This was from a small 375ml bottle so variation exists. There was a little wet potato in the nose. I have ignored that for this rating.

I do have a slight preference for this over R&V and Vilafonte M (I think?)

This was of course very youthful. Very strong tannins 8 to 8.5/10. Full bodied and a light fruity cassis nose (in the french style)

De Toren's latest addition to the stable. A response to the successful first 10 years of De Toren Z their Merlot based blend.

This is a powerhouse merlot and I would not drink for 10 years. The heat is immense and made the wine undrinkable to start. Only after 3 days of being opened and 10 hours of air, did the heat begin to dissipate. A merlot in the biggest Napa type style for a SA wine.

I find this very difficult to rate (88-93)

Initial nose seems concentrated and fresh. You expect it to hit with strong acidity. But it does not; it is smooth with a hint of sweetness.

Smoother finish than the Original Chenin Blanc but less nose and enticement.

Lighter chalk than the Red Jasper. Tannins at 7/10. Full bodied but young and needs to lie down.

Powerful fruity nose but very dry on the palate. 12%.

lovely outdoor drinkers - lightly sweet - beautiful picnic wine

Nice rounded tannins. A long finish. This is outstanding value for price. R90

Strong and tannic (9/10) - all new oak - this is big and bold - should last for at least 15 years.

Red fruit - 50 new oak and 50 2nd fill. Nice strong tannins 7.5/10.

This is bold yet very drinkable. Heavy with a dry finish - It might even be work an extra point or two in the future.

Bright red with light cherry on the nose. Tannins are moderately high at 7.5/10.

The mid palate softens but it ends strong.

This is 24 months in new oak and I thought I would feel the tannins more but they are integrated.

Guava, green peppers and spring onion. Initial sweetness in the mouth with good acidity.

Minimal nose with a hint of lemon

Light nose. Dark fruits then goes dry. Heavy tannins 7.5/10

Nice nose with pears and apples. But the body does not continue with any strength. Nice but not Vin de Constance.

Made from chenin blanc. Starts with an initial hint of sweetness.

Chalky dust and sweet feel on the mouth. The initial attack is sweetish yet dry on the finish. Very young with nice strong tannins 7.5/10.

Less nose and oak and it has some bitterness.

Cellar on the nose. This is a totally dry wine.

Darker yellow than the standard riesling. There is initial sweetness which gives way to the fresh wine - and the palate and finish is long lasting.

Although I understand this won the top Shiraz in France last year, it lost the first place for me to Hartenberg's own Gravel Hill (see separate tasting note).

Fruity nose with tomato and subtle caramel. Far more fruit forward and extracted than the Gravel Hill. The palate is integrated and smooth feel overall on the mouth.

Chalk and tomato on the nose. THe oak is beautifully integrated 7/10

Petroleum and not my favorite - preferred the Tenacity.

Guava and melon on the nose. Heavy melon on the palate as well.

The nose is muted which was the only point holding it back. Strong tannins 8/10 with a very dry finish.

Clean linen nose.

Very drinkable with light almonds

Dark ruby red.

Definitely young and needs time. 7/10 with tannins hitting the top palate.

This is a big tannic but not a fruit bomb Napa style cab.

Fruity nose and initial front palate but dry and high tannins (8/10). - and as for the Ansela vd Caab, I am concerned my rating may be high - maybe a point or 2 lower

The Cab Franc provides a nice backbone in the finish. Tannins are already well integrated and the wine is a dark red. Its initial attack is somewhat smooth and feminine.

Something tells me that I should not keep this beyond 2020? and I am concerned my rating may be high - maybe a point or 2 lower

classic pinot nose with strawberry and metallic/vegetal finish

Earthy but very fruity. In fact too fruity for me today. Strawberries and body with tannins in the finish (6.5/10)

Hints of raisin on the nose and then in the palate. Not necessarily what I like in a Shiraz.

A hint of fruit upfront with very heavy tannins 8/10. Not a stunner for me.

A hint of dark chocolate and strawberry. Dark ruby red with a very dry finish. Tannins 7/10

Purple with all 3rd oak fills. Clearly young and spicy but a light starts (probably the 3rd fills) with a peppery finish. Good tannins at 7/10.

Fruity pencil shavings on the nose. A dark but not bright red.

Chalk nose with upfront fruits. One dimensional. Tannins 7/10.