5/10/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

At hearts delight. Quite tropical

4/20/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep ruby red with garnet hues. Layered nose with earth, pyrazines and red cherries. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Well rounded palate with dark red berries, spiced herbs, and earthiness. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2036.

4/20/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium to light greenish yellow. Well rounded throughout with some tropical notes and a little oaky on the nose. Medium acidity (6.5/10) and medium bodied. Quite a bit of citrus on the palate with light minerality. Long finish. Drink till 2029.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Eighth wine at the estate.

Deep ruby red. Attack of dark red berries on the nose followed up by herbs and chalk. Medium tannins (5.5/10) with a medium minus body. Cherried palate with a hint of bell peppers. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2029.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Seventh wine at the estate. Aged for a total of 18 months in French oak barrels.

Medium ruby red. Light olives and a hint meaty on the attack of the nose, followed up with some black fruits and a hint of caramel. Medium tannins (6/10) with a medium body. Very fruity on the palate with some bramble spices on the backend. Quite quaffable with a medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2028.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Sixth wine at the estate. Aged in a mix of 1st, 2nd and 3rd fill 500L French oak barrels.

Medium greenish yellow in appearance with a slight golden hue. A bit tight to start on the nose with a little bit of wax and floral. An almost tannin like structure on the palate with well balanced acidity (6.5/10) and a full body. Lemond rinds and honeysuckle on the palate. Long finish. Drink till 2032.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Fifth wine at the estate. Only has one hour of skin contact.

Copperish pink. A bit creamy on the nose with some cranberries too. Medium acidity (5/10) with a medium minus body. Too sweet on the palate seems a little unbalanced with only really strawberry creme coming through on the palate. Medium minus finish. Drink now.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Fourth wine at the estate. Aged for 11 months in 500L French oak barrels. FYI, no spittoon was used in the writing of this tasting note.

Medium greenish yellow. Quite creamy on the nose with oaky nuances. Lush mouthfeel with medium acidity (6/10) and medium to medium plus bodied. Honeycrisp apples on the palate or something almost like an apple creme brulee and more rich stone fruits. Medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2030.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Third wine at the estate. Fruit comes from the oldest vineyard on the property, planted back in 1999.

Light greenish yellow. A hint of grass on the nose, definitely greener than the Chenin Blanc. Crisp on the palate with medium acidity (6.5/10) with a medium minus body. Smooth and slightly creamy on the palate with some light stone fruits. Medium plus body. Drink till 2027.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

Second wine at the estate. Aged in 100% Stainless Steel and made up of Chenin Blanc.

Light greenish yellow in appearance. Interesting attack on the nose with some guava and lemon grass. Medium plus acidity (7.5/10) and a medium minus body. White tropical fruits on the palate with some stone fruits and a steely finish. Drink till 2026.

3/27/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

An absolutely beautiful estate, wish we had more time to tour the sculptures and art. Thank you Janine for hosting us.

First wine at the estate. Made up of 100% Chardonnay and aged for a minimum of 24 months.

Tiny bubbles with a light greenish yellow. Hint of brioche on the nose. Crisp acidity (6.5/10) with a light plus body. Palate has flavors of granny smith apples and light minerality. Medium length finish. Drink till 2029.

3/26/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Last wine at Rijks in Tulbagh and out first trip up here. This bottle is aged for 22 months in a mix of 40% new French and American oak.

Medium ruby red. Interesting nose with rhubarb and spiced herbs. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and a medium plus body. Well rounded with similar notes on the palate. Long finish. Drink till 2030.

3/26/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Third wine at Rijks in Tulbagh and out first trip up here. This bottle is aged for 20 months in French oak.

Bright ruby red in appearance. Interesting nose with some cheesy nuances and strawberries. Well balanced acidity and medium tannins (5.5/10) with a medium body. A little bit of a zing on the palate with some brighter red fruits. Served slightly chilled. Medium length finish. Drink till 2027.

4/13/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Light golden yellow. Quite a bit of oak or malo on the nose with citrus curd, a hint of sweet hay and honeyed peaches. Medium acidity (6/10) with a medium minus to medium body. Balanced on the palate with a refreshing stone fruit ringing through. Medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2030 b

3/26/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Second wine at Rijks in Tulbagh and out first trip up here. Made under their new winemaker Adriaan Jacobs who took over in 2022. This bottle is 75% aged in new 2nd and 3rd fill oak for 11 months. 25% in stainless steel.

Light to medium greenish yellow. Quite floral on the nose with honeysuckle and tropical fruit, pineapple. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with a medium to medium plus body. A bit richer and chewier on the palate with tropical fruits. Medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2030.

3/26/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

First wine at Rijks in Tulbagh and out first trip up here. Made under their new winemaker Adriaan Jacobs who took over in 2022. This bottle is aged in 3rd and 4th fill (25%) Hungarian and French oak for 11 months. 75% in stainless steel.

Greenish yellow in appearance. Clean start on the nose that gets a bit fruiter with air. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with a light plus body. Crisp palate with citrus fruit (lemon), and minerality (showing the shale). Medium to medium plus finish. Very nice and quaffable. Drink till 2028.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Last wine at De Toren and in the Icon Tasting. Made up entirely of Shiraz. Aged in 200% new French oak barrels for 24 months, 12 months and then again for 12 months. Tasting was via coravin.

Deep purplish red. Still a baby, quite savory on the nose with dried meats and wood chips, almost like raw oak. Medium plus tannins (7/10) with a medium plus to full body. This will definitely beef up with time. Tons of blackberries on the palate with a bit of bacon fat, mocha and caramel. Long and lingering finish. Drink from 2028 till 2048. (94+)

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Fifth wine at De Toren and in the Icon Tasting. Made up entirely of Malbec. The label is inspired by Kemba, a white rhino De Toren sponsors in Switzerland. Aged in 200% new French oak barrels for 24 months, 12 months and then again for 12 months. Tasting was via coravin.

Deep purplish red. Brown sugar on the attack of the nose followed up by black cherries, violets and maybe lavender. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) with a medium plus body. Seems that it will beef up with some age. Dark bramble berries on the palate with light blue fruits and purple flowers. Quite dry on the palate with a long finish. Drink from 2028 till 2048. (94+)

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Fourth wine at De Toren and now onto the Icon Tasting. Made up of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Aged twice in 100% new French oak barrels for 12 months a piece. Tasting was via coravin.

Deep purplish ruby red. Very tight on the nose with some violets and black currants. After being open for around 20+ min baking spices started to show. Heavy tannins (8.5/10) with a full body. A bit earthy on the attack of the palate followed up by black currants, dark red cherries (even a little sour) and some graphite. Long and lingering finish. Drink from 2030 to 2055. (95+)

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Third wine at De Toren. Made up of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot.

Deep ruby red with purplish hues. Black currants on the nose with cherries, baking spices and a hint of cedar. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) with a medium plus to full body. Well rounded on the palate with black currants, leather and a hint of blueberries in the long finish. Drink till 2040.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Second wine at De Toren. Made up of 54% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. Aged in a mix of French oak for 12 months with the Malbec being aged in American oak.

Deep ruby red in appearance with garnet starting to show on the edges. Can definitely see this is Merlot dominant with aromas of tomato, plums and some mulled berries. Medium and grippy tannins (6.5/10) with balanced acidity and a medium plus body. Definitely tastes a bit older than a 2018 with a damp forest floor on the palate with a black cherry finish. Long finish. Drink till 2034.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

First red wine at De Toren, served slightly chilled. A Bordeaux style blend lead by Malbec. Medium ruby red. Bright red and even a hint of blue fruits on the nose, as it warms up a bit of baking spices shows. Medium tannins (5/10) with a medium minus body. Black cherries and a little earthiness on the palate. Very quaffable with a medium length finish. Drink over the next couple years.

4/2/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red in appearance. Softer nose than the Cabernet Franc as well as being quite tight. Well integrated tannins (6/10) with a medium minus body. Leather and tobacco on the palate with black currants. Medium plus length finish. Drink till 2034.

4/2/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red. Leather and black cherries on the nose. Seems to need a bit of air. Medium tannins (6.5/10) with some sweeter red fruits coming through on the palate. Medium minus body with a little bell pepper rounding out the medium plus finish. Drink till 2031.

4/2/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Very dark with greenish yellow hues. Very vegetal on the nose with onion grass and a bit of apple peels. Medium acidity (6/10) with it showing more on the back end with a medium minus body and medium finish. More fruit on the palate but not much more with some stone fruits and green apples. Drink till 2030.

4/2/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium golden yellow in appearance. Tight on the nose with some wax, a little fruit and something a little vegetal. True Chardonnay characteristics showing through on the palate with fresh lemon rind, and a hint of oakiness. Medium acidity (6/10) with a medium minus body. Medium length finish. Drink till 2029.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep ruby red. Black currants on the nose with some spices and earthiness. Medium tannins (6/10) with a medium body. More rounded than the prior wines. Dark fruit on the palate with some dark earthiness. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2029.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium to deep ruby red. Savory on the nose with some smoked meats and bramble berries. Medium tannins (5.5/10) with a medium minus to medium body. More red fruits on the palate with some twigs. Medium finish. Drink till 2027.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Light ruby red. Sour cherries and violets on the nose. Medium acidity (6/10) with a light body. A bit tart on the palate. Seems to be missing something. Medium finish.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Light golden yellow. A bit of brioche on the nose with a hint of baked apples. Nicest nose out of the five wines. Medium acidity (5/10) with a medium minus body. Similar nuances on the palate focused on green apples. Medium minus to medium length finish.

Aged for 12 months in 30% stainless steel.

4/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium greenish yellow. A bit of tropical notes on the nose followed up with some light greenery. Medium minus acidity (4.5/10) with a light body. More green onions on the palate with light Granny Smith apples. Medium to short finish. Drink till 2026.

4/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby with garnet hues. Quite savory on the attack with some light pyrazine and cassis. Medium tannins (5.5/10) with a medium body. Black currants on the palate with some plums, minerality and provance herbs. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2030.

4/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red. Very light pyrazine on the nose with white pepper and blackberries. Medium bodied with medium tannins (5.5/10). Nice amount of herbs on the palate with some tea and blackberries. Long finish. Drink till 2032.

4/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red. A lot going on with the nose starting with bramble berries, a bit of olive tapenade, smoked meats and stems. Medium minus to medium bodied with balanced tannins (5/10). Similar notes on the palate as the nose with less intensity. Lingering finish. Drink till 2028.

4/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium golden yellow. Showing the malo and lees aging on the nose with a biscuity warmth and golden delicious apples. Medium bodied with balanced acidity (6/10). Well rounded palate with a long finish. Flavors of baked apples, lemon zest and salinity. Long finish. Drink by 2032.

4/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium to Light golden yellow. A bit of straw on the nose with white peaches and white gravel. Medium minus bodied with medium acidity (6/10). Lots of green apples on the palate with lemon rind and a hint of minerality. Medium to medium plus finish. Drink till 2029.

3/30/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

A fun and interesting white wine at Neil Ellis. Made up of 53% Palomino and 47% Chenin Blanc. Almost reminds be of a very refreshing saison with a strong minerality and citrus element to it. Tons of acidity and would be interesting to see how this ages.

3/16/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep ruby red. Layered nose with black berries, violets, bark and baking spices. Medium plus tannins (7/10) with a medium plus to full body. Well balanced with fruits and tertiary layers. Long finish. Drink till 2036.

3/10/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep ruby red. A bit closed on the nose with black cherries, earthiness, and herbs. Full bodied with medium plus tannins (7/10). Dark chocolate on the palate with cedar, baked herbs, black cherries and lots of earthiness. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028.

2/10/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep ruby red. Lovely nose with savory herbs, black fruits, black cherries and spices. Heavy mountain tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Well integrated palate with blueberries, bramble, cherries, a bit of woodiness and dark soil. Balanced acidity and great structure. Nice texture with a long finish. Drink till 2042.

2/8/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Nfn want to see the next one in a few years. Great tannins and body.

2/3/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Wine number four for the night. Deep mix of ruby and purplish red. Dark nose with aromas of cinnamon and gravel. Medium plus tannins (7/10) with a full body. More comes through on the palate with blackberries, some bramble and volcanic earthiness. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2044.

2/2/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red in appearance. Interesting nose with herbs, black currants and earth. Medium tannins (5.5/10) with medium to medium plus body. Very quaffable with dark spices, currants and cherries. Medium length finish. Very easy to drink and a crowd pleaser. Drink now.

1/22/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep purplish ruby red in appearance. Layered nose with graphite, iron, wild redberries, and provencial herbs. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) with a medium plus to full body. Well balanced acidity with black currants on the palate, herbed, gravel and cherries. Overall a bit brighter on the attack with the red cherries and then shows some dark spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2036.

1/14/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep and dark ruby red. Chalk on the nose with black cherries, cassis and earthiness. Moderate tannins (6/10) with a well rounded medium plus body. Dark chocolate on the palate with black currants, baking spices, balanced acidity and minerality. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030.

1/5/2024 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Nfn- Deep ruby red. Red berries on the nose and palate. Classic SA with a medium plus length

12/29/2023 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Medium ruby red. Perfumed nose with raspberries, currants, a hint of baking spices and pencil shavings. Medium tannins (5.5/10) with a medium to medium plus body. Well rounded palate with a bit of gravel, strawberries and cedar. Long finish. Drink till 2024.

12/26/2023 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

A mix of brick and garnet red in appearance. A bit stinky on the nose with leather, damp earth, truffles and red cassis. Medium acidity with well integrated and well rounded body. Medium tannins (5.5/10). Secondary and tertiary notes on the palate. Lovely fruits and earth all intermingled. Long finish. Drink till 2028.

12/10/2023 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep purplish ruby red. Dark and rich nose with espresso, blackberries and dark cocoa. Medium to full bodied with medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and well balanced acidity. Long finish with a hint of citrus, sage, chocolate, baking spices and purple florals. Drink till 2035. Still a baby.

12/2/2023 - Millennial Drinkers wrote:

Deep garnet and ruby red. Quite earthy on the nose with dark berries,