favorites from a south african tasting

[newsguy]

was at a tasting this weekend (at B-21 in tarpon springs) and got my first major exposure to south african wines. i had only tried a handful of so. african wines before this tasting. i definitely liked what i had sunday, appreciating the fruit forward, concentrated style, with good complexity. no detailed notes, just some of my favorites grouped together in general terms regarding my preferences. also, added a wine critic's score if one was available. (prices listed are B-21's retail, not discounted prices offered the day of tasting.)

EXCELLENT (any of these could have been my wine of the tasting)

2001 Conde Cabernet ($29.99) - great acidity, incredible balance and flavors. 92 WS.

2001 Neil Ellis Cab VS Jonkershoek ($29.99) - my notes say simply "Wow! Huge. Knockout!" 90 WS.

2000 Rust En Vrede Estate ($29.99) - incredibly intense blend of merlot, shiraz, cab. 92 WS.

2000 Boekenhoetskloof Cabernet ($29.99) - incredibly concentrated. 91 RP.


VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT

2001 Neil Ellis Cabernet ($19.99) - deep, dark and rich. great value. 90 WS.

2003 Mulderdosch Sauvignon Blanc ($18.99) - remarkably intense. my favorite SB. 92 WS.

2001 Stark Cabernet Stellenbosch ($19.99) deep and rich.

2001 Fairview Cyril Back Shiraz ($19.99) - great concentration. 90 WS.


VERY GOOD

2002 Fairview Goat Rotie ($14.99) - very nice fruit, toast. their idea of a Cote Rotie. great value. 91 WS.

1998 Kanonkop Paul Sauer Stellenbosch ($29.99) very nice, elegant red blend. 92 ST.

2001 Mulderbosch Faithful Hound ($19.99) 90 WS.

2001 Fairview Carignane ($17.99) - fruit forward; nice concentration. 88 WS.


my purchases: Neil Ellis Cabernet, Stark Cabernet Stellenbosch, Fairview Goat Rotie.

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 06-15-2004).]

[dananne]

Sounds like a nice tasting.

I recently had that Sauer at a local shop who was doing an informal pour, and I thought it was very nicely done. I always love Kanonkop's Pinotage, too.

An inexpensive one from SA that I've been enjoying as a during-the-week wine is False Bay's Pinotage. Runs about $7 here.