Nederburg event at the Table Bay Hotel

On Thursday 29 June, my husband and I attended the Nederburg Tasting event at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. Nederburg has won the Diners’ Club winery of the year twice in 2011 and again in 2017. They have also been awarded 5 stars by the Platter guide for 5 of their wines. Some of the wines that were offered at this event will only be launce at the Nederburg auction, later this year.

Each of the wines that were offered on the evening was paired with a specific dish to enhance particular flavours and aromas. The dishes were prepared specifically for this event by the Table Bay Hotel’s executive chef, Jocelyn Myers-Adams. The dishes were unique and all contained foraged ingredients.

As a welcoming drink the Nederburg Cuveé Brut was paired with oysters with lemon pearls.

The Brut has a very pale straw colour with tiny beads.

On the nose shy notes of vanilla and butter biscuits can be observed.

The entry is crisp and dry with a brisk acidity. The biscuity flavour follows through from the nose. The palate has a distinct yeastiness about it, with a rather short finish. This is a sparkling wine for easy drinking.

The flavours of the oysters were accentuated by the Brut.
Brut score: 15.5/20

The starter; fish carpaccio served with foraged limpet carpaccio, nashi pear, fennel and radish, was served with the Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc 2015.
This Sauvignon Blanc was fermented in stainless steel tanks and spent 6 to 9 months on the lees. The grapes were produced in a cooler climate.

The colour is bright golden straw.

On the nose, the cooler climate elements of asparagus, green pepper and sweet basil could be detected. This wine is forthcoming, bold and complex on the nose.

The entry is dry and crisp. The acidity is rather mild, considering this is a sauvignon blanc. The body is also fuller than would be anticipated. Flavours of green herbaceousness and underlying green pepper and even slightly savoury green olive notes, makes this wine deliciously complex. The finish is long and lingering and well balanced.

The seafood starter brings out the slightly savoury flavour, giving the wine an oceanic character.

Sauvignon Blanc score: 18/20.

We were spoiled by two mains.

The first main was Biltong dusted Beef Fillet with dauphinoise potato and Cabernet Sauvignon jus and carrot purèe. This was served with the Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013. 

This Cabernet Sauvignon won the best Cab Sauv in the world.

The colour is deep, dark ruby to crimson red. The wine is nearly opaque, with remarkably little gradation for the age.

Aromas of currants, jam-like, concentrated dark berries and a prominent savouriness dominate the nose. Other aromas of cigar box and chocolate round the bouquet off with a hint of mintiness.

The entry is dry and tannic. The palate is just as bold and complex as the nose hints at. Fruit flavours of currants and berries can be detected. This wine has a distinct wild gamey character with notes of spice and pepper. While the tannins are prominent, they are well incorporated. This wine could age well for another 10 years, but drinks well right now.

The meatiness and wildness of the wine is well complimented by the meaty dish.

Cabernet Sauvignon score: 18.5/20

The second main dish; Duck served with Quinoa crackling and Num-num purèe was served with the Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Brew Master 2014.

The Brew Master is a Bordeaux blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Petit Verdot and Malbec.

The Brew Master has a nearly opaque, dark crimson red colour.

The nose is savoury and gamey with notes of berries and a smoky tobacco.

The entry is dry and rather tannic. Rich ripe berry flavours along with the gaminess which follows through from the nose create a complex flavour profile. The tannins are firm but does not affect the drinkability of the wine. This wine could age for another 10 years.

The gaminess of the duck and wine compliment each other extremely well.

The Brew Master score: 17.7/20

Desert was a Chocolate Mousse Bomb with Salted Caramel, Macadamia praline and foraged Kei apple purèe. This was served with Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2015.

This NLH is made of Chenin Blanc infected by Botrytis.

The colour is an attractive golden straw colour, reminiscent of the colour of ripe wheat.

The distinct whiff of Botrytis can be detected. Aromas of honey and fynbos finish off the nose.

As expected, the entry is syrupy sweet with flavours of honey and characteristic Botrytis. A subtle undertone of nuttiness can also be tasted. The lingering finish of honey round off this sweet wine.

The NLH breaks the sweetness of the dessert, while the macadamia nut praline accentuates the nutty flavour of the wine.

NLH score 17.5/20

This event was an unforgettable experience, compliments to the organisers, the chef and her team and the winemakers.

Goblets and Gourmets Wine Tasting Evening - NITIDA Wine Estate

The Matriarch 2015 MCC 

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir

Pale creamy straw colour with medium to small beads.

The nose is rather shy with a faintly fruity aroma and the distinct bouquet of freshly baked bread.

The entry is crisp and dry with a refreshing acidity, complimented by the fizziness. The fruitiness detected on the nose follows through onto the palate. There is a slight citrussy undertone, contributing to the complexity of this MCC. The wine has a medium body with a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel.
The Matriarch scores 16/20

Golden Orb 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

This wine was named after the golden orb spider, found in the vineyard.
This is a traditional cold climate Sauvignon Blanc that spends some time on the lees.

This Sauvignon Blanc has an appealing light golden straw colour.

On the nose aromas of flinty minerality, herbaceous green pepper and earthiness are boldly forthcoming. The complexity of the nose is intriguing.

The entry is crisp and dry with a burst of flavours following through from the nose. Green pepper, spice, minerality and a hint of herbaceousness all add to the intensity and complexity. The acidity is balanced and refreshing. Subtle notes of tropical fruit rounds off the flavour profile of the wine. The finish is lingering and distinctly green.

The Golden Orb gets a decent 16/20.

Wild Child 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

The Wild Child is a wild fermented wine, of which 60 – 65% is wooded, some of which are new oak barrels.

The wine is pale straw in colour.

The nose is rather forthcoming, very fruity, with notes of tropical fruit, passion fruit and peaches. The complexity is satisfying. As the wine is left to breathe; hints of pear and vanilla develops.

The Wild Child has a fresh fruity entry. Flavours of tropical fruit and pears follow through onto the palate. The undertone of the wine is rather green; with flavours of asparagus. The acidity is crisp and lively. While this wine is entirely dry, the fruitiness gives an illusion of sweetness. The wine has a lingering asparagus and passion fruit finish. The layered complexity and light to medium body makes this a fascinating wine.

Score 17/20

Coronata Integration 2015

What makes this an interesting wine is that it has a dual character; one when cold and one when warmed slightly.

60% Semillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc

This wine has a lovely soft straw colour.

When this wine is sampled when cold, it has the characteristics of a typical cold climate Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of green pepper and a slight herbaceousness. There is also a slight minerality, reminiscent of wet stone. While the nose is rather shy, the complexity is satisfactory.

The entry is dry with crisp acidity. Peppery, mineral and green herbaceous flavours are detected, similar to the Golden Orb Sauvignon blanc.

After the wine has been warmed in the palm of the hand, the character changes remarkably. On the nose aromas of pepper and sweeter fruit are notable.

While the peppery flavour remains throughout, the herbaceousness is downplayed slightly and more fruity flavours become prominent.

This interesting wine scores 16/20.

The Tinkery 2016 Riesling

Tinkery has a distinctly lemony yellow tone.

On the nose the faint whiff of kerosene, typical of a Riesling can be discerned. This Riesling is fragrant; with aromas of perfumey flowers like honeysuckle, jasmine and peach blossoms. The distinctive scent of rosewater an also be noticed.

On the palate, the entry is syrupy sweet. Notes of botrytis, honey and florally flavours make this wine distinctly girly and sweet. A lingering aftertaste of Turkish delight completes the wine.

Tinkery scores a delicious 17/20.

Riesling 2016

This Riesling is pale golden straw in colour.

The nose is dominated by aromas of sweet peaches, orange blossom and a lingering perfuminess. The kerosene whiff is very subtle.

The entry is crisp and dry. Citrus notes are forthcoming with herbaceous sweet basil notes, lemon and minerality all contributing to the satisfying complexity. The acidity is brisk, making this a lively wine.

Score 17/20

Calligraphy 2014

This wine has a ruby red colour with slight gradation visible.

The nose is slightly reserved with aromas of red berries and currants and a slight tobacco and mulberry undertone.

The berry flavours follow through from the nose. The body of this wine is light with a medium to short finish.

This wine is decidedly easy drinking with the fresh berry flavours. 15.5/20, simply because I prefer more complex wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The colour of this wine is crimson red with medium depth and little to no gradation.

On the nose this wine is forthcoming with aromas of chocolate dipped cherries and ripe berry fruit. The nose is bold and commanding, demanding to be tasted with full attention.

This wine has a dry, soft, yet tannic entry. The mouthfeel is well-rounded and full-bodied. Bold berry flavours follow through from the nose. This is a soft and feminine wine with a contrasting assertiveness. The complexity, satisfying intensity and long lingering rich finish makes this a Cab Sauv like few others.

This wine scores a deserving 19/20.

Perdeberg Wine Estate Wine Tasting

Perdeberg is located outside Paarl, with climate and terroir close to that found in the Swartland. Perdeberg could be translated as Horses mountain; referring to zebras that used to roam the area. The climate is rather dry and warm with 75% of the vineyards going without irrigation and 50% being bush vines.

We had the pleasure of tasting 8 different wines.

Method Cap Classique Pinot Rose Reserve 2013

This is an attractive salmon pink wine with medium to small beads.

On the nose, fresh strawberries and distinct yeastiness can be detected.

The entry of the wine is crisp and dry. While the wine is dry, there is an illusion of sweetness. The flavour of freshly baked bread follows through from the nose to the palate. The fruity finish is medium.

This is an easy drinking wine for all the lovers of bubbles. It scores 15.5 out of 20, only because I prefer my MCCs more serious.

Method Cap Classique Blanc Reserve 2012

This MCC is pale straw in colour with medium to small beads.

The nose is dominated by tropical fruit.

The entry is crisp and dry. On the palate, Turkish delight can be detected. The alcohol content of this MCC is slightly higher.

The wine is also an easy drinking wine, not to be taken too seriously. It gets 15 out of 20.

Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Grenache Blanc 2015

This wine is very pale straw in colour and very translucent.

On the nose, this wine is herbaceous with notes of fresh green apple, white stone fruit and citrus. This is a slightly shy wine that should be revisited to detect the full spectrum of aromas.

The entry is slightly sweet with the herbaceousness and fresh fruity flavours following through onto the palate. A slight minerality can also be detected. The acidity of this wine is slightly high, contributing to the crisp character. The medium aftertaste is that of apple and pear.

I rated this wine 16.5 out of 20.

The Dry Land Collection Courageous – Barrel fermented Chenin Blanc 2015

The Dry Land Collection is made of grapes from unirrigated bushvines.

The chenin blanc is pale straw in colour.

On the nose, this is a fresh and fruity wine with notes of peach, apple and citrus. A faint vanilla aroma can also be detected.

The wine has a crisp dry entry with the fruitiness following through from the nose. Flavours of apple, pear and citrus are dominant with a slight herbaceousness. The acidity of this wine is medium. The fruity aftertaste is long, lingering.

The wine scored 17 out of 20.

The Dry Land Collection Rossouw’s Heritage – Chenin blanc driven blend

This is a pale straw coloured wine.

Citrus, crisp apple and a distinct perfumey aroma can be detected on the nose. While the wine is slightly shy, it has a pleasant nose.

The entry is crisp and dry with the apple and citrus flavours following through from the nose to the palate. The acidity is high, making this a very crisp wine. The aftertaste is herbaceous and medium length.

This is a distinctly easy drinking wine, scoring 16 out of 20.

The Dry Land Collection Resolve - Pinotage 2014

This pinotage has an attractive deep ruby to garnet red colour. Gradation is visible.

This is a forthcoming and complex wine. The nose of this wine is very jammy with notes of youngberry, black cherry and plum distinguishable. It has a slight warming effect on the nose.

The entry of this wine is dry with a jammy character. Very ripe, dark fruit such as ripe blackberry, cherry and plums are detectible. The wine is full-bodied with a lingering jammy aftertaste. The wine is slightly higher in alcohol, around 14%.

I gave this wine 16.5 out of 20.

Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Malbec 2015

As I stated in my previous post, I am rather critical on South African Malbec, ever since I tasted Argentinian Malbec.

The colour of this wine is deep ruby to garnet red. The wine is nearly opaque.

The aromas are forthcoming and typical of malbec. The wine is smoky, jammy with aromas of sweet, ripe cherries. There is also a slight warming effect on the nose.

On the palate, the malbec is full-bodied with a smoky warm entry. The wine has flavours of slightly sweet black berries and a medium to long finish.

Unfortunately, this wine does not meet my expectations of the high standards of Argentinian malbec. This wine scored 15.5 out of 20.

The Dry Land Collection Joseph’s Legacy – Shiraz based blend 2014

This blend is almost opaque with a deep ruby to garnet red colour.

On the nose this is a smoky and jammy wine. Aromas of ripe red and black berries, and a slightly savoury spice is detectible. The wine seems to be rather complex and forthcoming.

The entry is spicy and slightly savoury. This is a full-bodied wine with loads of savoury spices. Flavours of pepper, minerality and dark berries are obvious. The finish is long and lingering.

This is a very pleasant wine, scoring 17 out of 20.

Perdeberg is a wine estate that offers good value for money, and some very decent wines.