Wine Ramblers tasting – Cederberg Winery of South Africa, 5th February 2013

Wine Ramblers tasting – Cederberg Winery of South Africa, 5^th February 2013

@wineramblers

Tasted at Fulham Wine Rooms

Wine Ramblers

Cederberg Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Western Cape)

Light golden colour. Classic and elderflower gooseberry nose, but not a heavy style – very fresh and zesty. Group score.  3.8 / 5

Cederberg Cellars Chenin Blanc 2011 (Western Cape)

A pleasing style from a country that produces some radical interpretations of this French varietal. Pale straw colour, this wine was fresh, tart on the palate with greengages and mint on the nose. A short-ish finish but very pleasing overall and a great food wine.

Group score 3.5 / 5

Cederberg Cellars Ghost Corner Elim Semillon 2009 (Western Cape)

A premium wine. Very different in style to a Bordeaux Semillon. Light straw colour, green bell peppers on the nose, off dry and very crisp on the palate, zesty, long finish and fresh acidity. Lovely wine with a lot more life yet. Group score 4.1 / 5

Cederberg Cellars Bukettraube 2011 (Western Cape)

A fine wine from a rare grape varietal. Light golden colour, apricots and a hint of stewed fruit on the nose, slightly sweet and raisined on the palate. Juicy. Needs longer. Best white of the night. Group score 4.3 / 5

Cederberg Cellars Merlot Shiraz 2009 (Western Cape)

An unusual blend. Medium purple colour, gamey nose with spicy plums on the palate. Youthful, with firm tannins but an elegance. A good future. Group score 3/5

Cederberg Cellars Shiraz 2009 (Western Cape)

Another very well made red wine. Ripe black fruits on the nose, with coffee and pimento, blackcurrant on the palate. A cut above many Southern Hemisphere shiraz. From 2103. Group score 4/5

Cederberg Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon V Generations 2008 (Western Cape)

The best red of the night and the best wine too. Inky colour, dense and concentrated. Firm tannins that need longer but a beautiful palate – a melange of cassis, pimento and dark fruits. Needs longer but lovely now. From 2014. Group score 4.3 / 5

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Chateau Moulin Caresse 2010 Montravel sec (Bergerac)

Great oily nose of gooseberry and ‘cats pee’ for a classic Sauvignon blanc. Fruit forward with zesty notes of tart apple. Drink now. Group score 4.1 / 5

Luc Pirlet Chardonnay 2010 (Languedoc)

Good vanilla on the nose, classic buttery and citrus notes on the palate. A youthful, fruit forward Chardonnay for early drinking. Rtaher restrained at the moment – could do with another 6 months of so in bottle. Group score 2.8 / 5

Godello, Bodegas Gargallo 2011 (Galicia)

Fragrant and elegant, a lovely Galician wine that turned out to be the best white of the night and universally loved. Blend of local Teixadura and Godello, 50:50. Good acidity to give it some longevity.

Group score 4.3 / 5

Alba Matusevic – Malvasia 2011 (Croatia)

Very interesting wine from Croatia, on the Italian border, made from this ancient grape variety. Raisins on the nose, hint of apricots on the palate. Toasty nose, off-sweet and rich on the palate.

Group score 4.1 / 5

Gran Cerdo 2011 (Rioja)

A softer Rioja for early drinking, not too tannic. Red fruits and cherries on the nose and strawberry on the palate. Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano grapes. From 2013.

Group score 4.1 / 5

Chateau de la Negly, Pavillon Rouge 2011 (Languedoc)

This is the Vin de Pays d’Oc of Negly, a high quality blend of local grapes. Ripe black fruits on the nose, earthy hints and a dark fruits on the palate. Group score 4.1 / 5

Le Fleur Morange Mathilde 2007 (St.Emilion GCC)

The great second wine of the Le Fleur – the leading wine of the ‘garage wines’ of St. Emilion.

Great balance of plummy fruit and acidity, classic austere nose that opens up of uncorking. Red fruit and pencils on the nose. The best red of the night. Group score 4.3 / 5