Six Hats Viognier 2010

Six Hats Viognier 2010

Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Viognier (100%)
Alcohol Content: 14.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Greenish gold in color, this wine has aromas of peaches, apricots and tropical fruits (mango, banana). Smooth, almost creamy, on the palate, the fruit flavors are nicely balanced with a moderating acidity, which increases markedly into the finish. A slight mineral character also develops at this point.

Our rating: This is not a sipping wine, but a good, food-friendly one. We enjoyed our bottle with a pasta dish, but we think it versatile enough to pair with just about any poultry or seafood dish, and if purchased again we would lean towards serving it with Southeast Asian cuisines. Regular readers know that we are not fans of overly-oaked wines, but we do understand that oaking can polish some of the rough edges … and that's what we think may have helped here. (The winery website indicates this varietal was made with stainless steel.) We rate it Above Average, but believe with some additional crafting it could have been a really refined wine.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A bold, expressive wine with dried peach flavors and a tropical finish.

Winery website: Citrusdal Wines. This wine is Fair Trade Certified. The bottle image is slightly different from the one we purchased.

Rooiberg Chenin Blanc 2010

Rooiberg Chenin Blanc 2010

Origin: Robertson, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: December 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A light lemon yellow in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit with notes of spice. The palate flavors tend more towards tree fruit (apple, pear) though some tropical character remains together with cider-like quality. The finish adds some minerality, but is rather flat overall.

Our rating: We chose to serve this wine with lunch (sandwich, soup and salad), which seemed appropriate. It would probably also pair well with a mild whitefish, but it doesn't seem like it would hold its own against a more substantial meal. It has an interesting complexity to it, but in the end we scored it just Average due mostly to its somewhat muddled finish.

Taste profile from the winemaker: A dry white wine that reveals pleasant pineapple and fruit salad flavours, with some delightful citrus notes and charms of dried apples and musk. Well balanced with a quinsy, fresh, zesty finish.

Winery website: Rooiberg Winery.

Star Tree Nouveau Blanc 2010

Star Tree Nouveau Blanc 2010

Origin: Northern Cape, South Africa
Blend: "A variety of white grape cultivars"
Alcohol Content: 9.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Pale straw-gold in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit and honey, with notes of orange blossom. Quite sweet on the palate — but not overly so — the flavors are reminiscent of fresh cut pineapple, melon, even plum, with a hint of orange zest. The finish is surprisingly brisk and clean.

Our rating: Everything about this wine says "brunch" to us … as opposed to, say, "dessert". The label says it is a "natural sweet white wine", and by that we're assuming that the marketing folks are trying to imply that it doesn't have the cloying sweetness of some dessert wines (or Northwest Pacific Rieslings). And it doesn't. There's not much refinement to this wine, and we'd never serve it at or after dinner, but we think it perfectly appropriate — especially given its low alcohol content — for a midday breakfast/lunch buffet. We rate it about Average overall.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Orange River Cellars.

The Beachhouse White Wine 2010

The Beachhouse White Wine 2010

Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Semillon (20%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Light gold with green/silver highlights, this wine has aromas of citrus (orange, lime) and lemongrass with fresh floral and herbal notes. The citrusy, but not too tart, flavors are accompanied by tropical fruit, but not too sweet, flavors on the palate. The finish is very brief, but has a touch of minerality to it.

Our rating: There is not much complexity to the wine, which is not necssarily a fault as we think it makes the wine quite versatile, able to pair with a wide variety of foods. In our opinion, South African Sauvignon Blancs generally work best with moderately spicy Asian cuisines, regardless of underlying protein, and this wine did not disappoint in that regard. We served our bottle with orange chicken, and found it to be an appropriate pairing. The inclusion of Semillon in this blend seems to soften the wine a bit, a nice touch, and one that should appeal to those who may consider some Sauvignon Blancs as too harsh. We rate this wine Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Twinkling bright and pale straw with playful lemongrass and gooseberry aromas layered with hints of honeysuckle and tangerine that race across the palate in a refreshing burst of tantalising citrus fruit finishing with a vibrant crispness.

Winery website: The Beachhouse: A Wine by Douglas Green.

Star Tree Chenin Blanc 2010

Star Tree Chenin Blanc 2010

Origin: Northern Cape, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Tropical fruit and herbal tea aromas are exhibited by this gold-colored wine. Initially rich, almost creamy, on the palate, the fruit flavors -- pineapple, guava, maybe kiwi -- are nicely rounded and well balanced. The finish is brief though unremarkable.

Our rating: We served our bottle with sauteed split chicken breasts and a Mexican-inspired rice dish, a good match. We think this wine would pair with a wide variety of cuisines, particularly those that are mildly spicy. This isn't a complex wine by any wines, but a versatile one. We enjoyed it, and rate it Above Average.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Orange River Cellars. Though other Star Tree wines are mentioned on the website, the Chenin Blanc is not.

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: May 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: Aromas of citrus and spice are exhibited by this light golden colored wine. The moderately tart fruit flavors on the palate tend a bit more toward tree fruit (think green apple) though definitely have some citric character to them. There's also a brief tropical fruitish sweetness about mid-palate. The finish adds some chalky minerality.

Our rating: Years ago, long before we started this review blog, we purchased this label frequently as an inexpensive wine that was versatile enough to accompany a wide variety of dishes. It then shot up in price -- the 2006 vintage was priced at $9 when we reviewed it in 2007 -- and we stopped buying it on a regular basis. By last year, when we reviewed the 2008 vintage, it was back down to $6, which we thought a good value. We're slightly less enthusiastic about this vintage, which comes across as somewhat muddled and not well-crafted. It retains its versatility -- we served our bottle with an Asian-inspired pork dish -- but it seems so generic. We rate it about Average overall.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Layers of fresh citrus flavors, balanced with a crisp acidity and subtle mineral texture." (from the bottle label)

Winery website: Sebeka Wines. As of the date of this review, this website hasn't been updated in years (a bit of a disappointment).

Nederburg Lyric 2010

Nederburg Lyric 2010
Origin: South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (56%), Chenin Blanc (23%), Chardonnay (21%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold with silver and green highlights, this wine has aromas of tree fruit (apples and peaches), but also some tropical fruit notes with maybe a touch of citrus. Nicely balanced on the palate, the fruit flavors are quite expressive, tending more toward sweet than tart. The finish is lengthy and has a bit of chalkiness, but it isn't distracting.

Our rating: This is a most interesting blend, three varietals that work, for the most part, in harmony with each other (even if one of them in Chardonnay). Maybe that's where the "Lyric" comes from! It's a very fruity wine, not overly complex, and probably best suited for Sunday brunches or maybe as an aperitif or with appetizers. Indeed, given its almost festive feel, we can see it being served at a party with family and friends. Suffice it to say, we enjoyed it, and rate it Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Brilliant green. Bouquet: Aromas of peach and apricot mingle with the aromas of freshly cut grass and passion fruit. Palate: Crisp and generous with a fresh acidity."

Winery website: Nederburg Wines.

Zafrika Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Zafrika Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: January 2011
Purchase Price: $4.99

Our review: Light straw with silver-green tints, this wine has aromas of citrus (grapefruit) and lemongrass, with notes of green apple. There's a nice sweet/tart balance initially on the palate, the fruit flavors mostly citrusy. Into the finish, though, a grassy, herbal character takes over, accompanied by some minerality.

Our rating: There's not much depth to this wine, but it has some interesting qualities. We served our bottle with broiled white fish, but believe it probably pairs best with shellfish … and within that group, probably chilled appetizers. For the price, it's rather good, but objectively we rate it just Average, downgraded mostly for a distinctly odd finish.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A crisp, dry wine of high quality with aromas of tropical flavours and hints of green pepper."

Winery website: None found.

Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Durbanville, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2011
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Greenish silver in color, this wine exhibits vegetal (asparagus, green pepper) aromas coupled with notes of citrus and lemongrass. Similar characteristics are present on the palate, the flavors crisp and somewhat tart. A slight herbaceousness is also present. The finish is lengthy but doesn't add anything different.

Our rating: This is a nice example of this varietal, but it seems a bit one-note to us, that it needs something to round it out. It's well balanced, acidity-wise, and would pair very well with seafood, but we think it may do better with a vegetarian meal, or possibly a simple pasta or rice dish. We rate it about Average overall.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Colour: Pale green. Nose: Complex combination of papaya, grapefruit, lime and winter melon with green fig and prickly pear flavours coming to the surface as the wine changes temperature. Taste: The palate is a combination of fruit flavors and green pepper."

Winery website: Durbanville Hills.

Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Coastal Region, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: Silvery green in color, this wine has peppery aromas of gooseberry and lime with considerable grassiness. The fruit flavors on the palate offer a nice contrast, not nearly as spicy or tart as one might expect from the nose, though clearly crisp and citrusy balanced with some tropical flavors. There isn't much of a finish, though a lingering almost bitter sensation remains.

Our rating: Though there are several facets to this wine that we like, and we think make it a good seafood pairing wine, we couldn't get past the overly astringent or harsh finish (that we initially characterized as "bitter" ... which is still how we think of it). It must be consumed with food, which admittedly does take the edge off the finish. And while its overall score from the individual components rates it on the high side of Average, we wouldn't buy it again.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "An expression of tropical fruit on the nose -- litchis and passionfruit, with notes of ripe figs and capsicum. Great concentration of tropical fruit and grassiness and peppers on the palate. A crisp, lively acidity and persistent but elegant finish."

Winery website: Graham Beck Wines.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2009

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2009
Origin: South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $6.99

Our review: Golden straw in color with aromas of ripe apple and peach coupled with floral and tropical fruit notes. The flavor profile on the palate is similar with a rather unusual slightly sweet, slightly spicy finish.

Our rating: There are some unusual characteristics to this wine that make it interesting, though to be honest, it isn't all that memorable. It's very food friendly; we served our bottle with a simple chicken dish that worked quite well. We think it may be worth a try, especially at this price point, though we rate it only Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "An appealing light straw colour. Light with lovely ripe, attractive rounded fruit. Fresh floral nose and an exciting acid balance."

Winery website: RobertsonWinery.

The Royal Chenin Blanc 2009

The Royal Chenin Blanc 2009
Origin: Swartland, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Light gold in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (mango, kiwi, a little banana) with notes of citrus and flowers. The fruit flavors are a little tart on the palate, though reasonably well balanced, with a little bitter honey emerging into the finish.

Our rating: This is an interesting wine, though not a complex one. We think it would pair well with a wide variety of cuisines, especially Asian inspired dishes, but we were a little put off by the bitterness of the finish here, giving it a harshness that seemed a bit incongruous with the rest of the wine's profile. Rounding the edges would have helped considerably here. Still, overall we still rate it Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine."

Winery website: Riebeek Cellars.

Douglas Green "Vineyard Creations" Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Douglas Green "Vineyard Creations" Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: A light fragrance of citrus (lime, gooseberry) and lemongrass are exhibited by this greenish straw-colored wine. Somewhat reminiscent of limeade on the palate, there is a good acidic balance, starting slightly with a sweet sensation before developing a bit more tartness into the finish, which itself is crisp and clean, though brief.

Our rating: This is a nice example of we often call a "picnic wine", one that is easy-going, refreshing, and pairs readily with a variety of foods -- one that you might want to take along, for example, on a picnic. We guessed right, and served our bottle at lunch with sandwiches and chips, finding it quite enjoyable. Priced attractively, we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A perky dry white with attractive tropical pineapple aromas and a zesty citrus finish."

Winery website: Douglas Green Wines.

Bellingham Chenin Blanc 2008

Bellingham Chenin Blanc 2008
Origin: Coastal Region, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Medium yellow in color with tints of green, this wine is very fragrant, with aromas of ripe tropical fruit (banana, papaya, melon). Round and flavorful on the palate, the fruit flavors are nicely balanced with a mild acidity. Some sweetness develops into the finish, which is exceptionally long and rather complex ... though not necessarily in a good way.

Our rating: We think this would make for a perfectly acceptable wine to serve with mildly spicy Asian cuisines, which is how we enjoyed our bottle. It would also go well with a mixed appetizer platter. More interesting than many of this varietal we've tasted, it's also more confusing, one of the few wines that seemed to degrade the more we consumed. Our overall score is just Average, but that itself is an average of initial and final impressions.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "An invigorating crispness is complemented with notes of flowers and tropical fruit, including cantaloupe, pear and peaches."

Winery website: Bellingham Wines.

Spier Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Spier Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2010
Purchase Price: $8.99

Our review: Pale gold in color, this wine has aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, and bell pepper with some very slight floral notes. Nicely fruitful on the palate, the slightly tart citrus flavors have a good balancing acidity. There isn't much finish, but it is clean and refreshing.

Our rating: Those who tend to enjoy New Zealand-style sauvignon blancs but are put off a bit by how aggressive they can be will likely enjoy this wine. It retains many of the characteristics of this varietal but softens them a bit. Likely to be very food friendly, we served our bottle with a salad course of tomatoes and marinated onions, an excellent choice. We rate it on the very high side of Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Green in colour with a yellow hue, the wine shows fresh tropical fruit aromas with figs, and grassy undertones. Layers of tropical fruit show on a well-structured and -balanced palate."

Winery website: Spier South African Wines.

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2010
Purchase Price: $5.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color, this wine has aromas of apple and peach with pleasant citrus notes. Of moderate body on the palate, the fruit flavors are nicely balanced with an acidity that increases a bit into the finish, which is a little tart.

Our rating: This is an example of a wine that is better than its price may otherwise suggest. The flavors are fresh and crisp, its overall balance good if not exactly complex. We had previously tasted this wine years ago (Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc 2006) and enjoyed it, so had some idea what to expect. Still, we think it represents a very good value for a versatile, food-friendly wine. We rate this vintage well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: None for 2008, but from the 2007 vintage, "A bouquet of gooseberry, herbal notes, and bold tropical citrus flavors accented by subtle mineral notes, evoking rich soil undertones. With a refreshing, dry tang, its crisp taste, bright tropical fruit flavors, and satisfying texture pairs well with Asian and Indian cuisines."

Winery website: Sebeka Wines.

Releaf Chenin Blanc 2009

Releaf Chenin Blanc 2009
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 13.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: May 2010
Purchase Price: $7.99

Our review: Golden yellow in color, this wine has aromas of melon and tropical fruit. The fruit flavors are a bit flat on the palate, almost watery, though the acidic balance is good. The finish is lengthy, but somewhat uninspired and without depth.

Our rating: A somewhat interesting wine, but not a memorable one. We served our bottle with a vegetable omelet, with which it paired rather well. Still, we were expecting something brighter here, more lively. It scores reasonably well, considering, about Average, and is priced about right. This wine is made from certified organic grapes; the bottle is made from partially recycled glass; the labels are made from recycled paper, and printed with sustainable inks.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Offers lively aromas of tropical fruits and melon. The crisp citrus and tropical fruit flavors linger on palate. "

Winery website: Organic Wine Trade Company.

Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Elgin, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (91%), Semillon (9%)
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: February 2010
Purchase Price: $11.99

Our review: The color of straw, this wine exhibits aromas of asparagus and bell pepper, grass and herbs, and surprisingly light citrus notes. The citrus flavors are present on the palate, though, and bit on the tart side. The finish is almost too acidic, somewhat "hot", though that sensation passes very quickly.

Our rating: This wine starts and finishes fine, but seems unbalanced mid-palate. We served our bottle with a starter course, though we think it might pair better with shellfish or grilled seafood. On the scoresheet it rates on the low side of Average, but overall, and especially at this price point, we think even that's a bit generous.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Wonderfully balanced with passion fruit, grapefruit and citrus flowers on the nose. The palate is complex with all the floral and fruity aromas coming through and with a distinct mineral aftertaste. The mid palate is quite broad and complex, enhanced by a richness from the touch of semillon blended with the sauvignon blanc, and further enhanced by extended time on the fine lees."

Winery website: Paul Cluver Wines.

Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: September 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Straw in color, this wine has light aromas of citrus and orange blossom with slight notes of lemongrass. The smooth fruit flavors are balanced with some minerality on the palate. The finish is quite pleasing, and of moderate length.

Our rating: We very much enjoyed this bottle of wine. It's a softer, gentler version of some of the more aggressive sauvignon blancs typical of New Zealand or Chile. Very food friendly, it probably pairs best with seafood. We previously rated the Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2007 on the high side of Average, but we think this vintage is even better, rating well Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker (from the bottle label): "Gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours, fresh and dry with lengthy citrus finish"

Winery website: Boekenhoutskloof Winery.

KWV Steen 2006

KWV Steen 2006
Origin: Western Cape, South Africa
Blend: Chenin Blanc (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: May 2009
Purchase price: $8.99

Our review: Gold in color, this wine exhibits aromas of honey, tropical fruits, and flowers with a little hint of spice. Pleasantly sweet and fruitful on the palate, an acidity quickly develops that carries the flavors into the finish, which is distinctly spicy (think soft vanilla).

Our rating: A nice wine overall, but possibly a bit on the old side. We paired ours with a simple chicken and pasta dish, but think it may work even better with certain Asian cuisines. We rate it Average, maybe slightly better.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A briskly fresh and clear wine. Intense aromas with tropical fruit and floral flavours. Firm acids complements the wine well and adds to the clean style and dry finish."

Winery website: KWV.