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.

Hartenberg Wine Estate Tasting evening Part 2 – Red wines

Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend 2014

This is a deep ruby to garnet red wine with obvious gradation.

Forthcoming and bold on the nose. Ripe red berries with nutmeg and baking spices.

The entry is crisp and dry. The tannins are velvety and contributes to the medium to fuller body of the wine. The spiciness from the nose follows through onto the palate. Fruity berry flavours add to  the complexity of this blend. The finish is lingeringly fruity.

This wine scores a decent 17/20.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

This Cab Sauv has an attractive deep ruby red with a slight purplish tinge.

On the nose this wine is bold and complex and rather typical of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cigar box and ripe red and black berried dominate the nose with a slight plumminess and faint metallic undertone.

The wine has a crisp tannic entry. Rich ripe berry flavours follow through from the nose and reign the palate and flows into a lingering finish. There is a slight cigar box flavour detectible. This is a full-bodied wine with firm tannins that promises to age well.

Score 17/20.

Estate Shiraz 2014

The colour of this shiraz is a very deep purplish red, with slight gradation.

On the nose this wine is forthcoming and deliciously complex with aromas of pepper, game meat, wet stone minerality and an extremely slight fruitiness. Aromas of black cherries, violets and a faint metallic whiff can also be detected.

This is a bold and complex wine with a crisp dry entry. While this is a tannic wine, it is entirely pleasant and drinkable. The commanding flavours are those of ripe berries, black cherries, and pepper. A slight meatiness and minerality can also be detected.

I am impressed with this wine, 18/20.

Gravel Hill 2007

Gravel Hill is an opaque ruby red with a very faint precipitation. What is surprising about this wine is the fact that there is nearly no gradation, considering the age.

The nose of Gravel Hill is extremely promising. It is a big, bold and complex wine with aromas of wet stone, minerality, cigar box and a distinct meatiness. Spices and black cherries and berries complete the bouquet.

The entry is dry and tannic. While the tannins are firm, it is well integrated and not abrasive at all. The body is full with a lingering intense aftertaste. The wine is distinctly spicy and meaty with flavours of black cherries. This wine should keep comfortably for another 5 to 10 years.

This wine scores a breath-taking 19.5/20.