Cape Wine 2008 pays dividends(1)
Dividends from Cape Wine 2008, last year’s industry haal uit en wys (show and tell), are rolling in like bonus payments to city investment bankers. The latest is a Top 50 from Matthew Jukes, wine writer for the Daily Mail, who was one of the most conscientious tasters at CW2008. But this is no laundry list – the picks are idiosyncratic (albeit expensive, ranging from £6 to £50) and there are some killer tasting notes. Whites dominate: seven each to Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc; six Chardonnays and five white blends.
1. Graham Beck Blancs de Blanc, Robertson, 2005, £12.99
“This was the most beautiful and rewarding sparkler at Cape Wine and it is still one of the best values in the world.”
2. FirstCape Winemaker’s Selection Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay, Western Cape, 2008, £7.99
“Creamy, smooth, apple pie notes with a stunning, zesty finish - impeccable balance and staggering value for money.”
3. Fish Hoek Chenin Blanc, Riebeek Valley, 2008, £6.29
“This budget Chenin, with its funky label and crowd-pleasing flavours has set the pace for innovators in South Africa - inspirational on every level.”
4. Raats Original Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region, 2008, £6.99
“Bruwer’s entry level wine now carries so much class and granite-soaked minerality that it would be anyone else’s flagship Chenin Blanc. Ignore it at your peril.”
5. Reyneke Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, 2008, £13.50
“A swirling vortex of crisp, grippy, lemon pith-scented Chenin, with a mineral edge that virtually slices through your tongue.”
6. Graham Beck Gamekeeper’s Reserve Chenin Blanc, Franschoek, 2008
“Without pushing these old vines too much Peter Ferreira has coaxed the perfect amount of intensity and magic from this Chenin - a marvellous advert for this variety.”
7. Rudera Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, 2007, £12.95
“Another wonderful expression of Chenin, with hazelnut, lemon balm and nougat notes and a stunning texture.”
8. Ken Forrester The FMC, Stellenbosch, 2007, £17.95
“With masses of over the top fruit and a veritable tidal wave of waxy honey and lemon curd this is a flamboyant wine for flamboyant wine lovers everywhere.”
9. Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc, Walker Bay, 2007, £9.99
“Bracing purity and palate-scouring acidity make this wine an essential accompaniment to a plateau de fruits de mer. Other wines try too hard - Southern Right obliterates them with sniper-like accuracy.”
10. Iona Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin, 2008, £12.49
“This Sauvignon improves every year and every year it is in my line-up of greats. The integrity of fruit and devastating minerality are both breathtaking.”
