South African Wine Tasting at Cafe Maxx

I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day

Frank Sinatra

That is why we have so many wine tastings every year, over 120 wine drinking opportunities for our "Wine Drinking People" last year and we are on par to break that record this year!

We should do a California Cabernet Sauvignon tasting every other week and we would get a bigger crowd than South Africa or Portugal but these two wine producing coutries are making some excellent wines and they need most people do not know a lot about these wines so we are doing valuable work introducing the latest and greatest from every major wine producing countries on Earth.  This week I even had a few Greek wines that would encourage me to give a little more attention to one of the world's oldest wine producing countries but one of the most underwhelming for me thus far in my professional wine drinking career.

One of the most exciting places in the world of fine wine today is South Africa. There are more and more great producers wines making it to our shores from this outstanding wine producing nation. There are several producers from Bordeaux that have invested in property there and this is the true sign that there is tremendous potential here, when you see top level producers investing in vineyard land you know that there is something special going on here.

For years the best wines were not brought to the U.S. today there is just so much great wine out there today it is hard to get around to everything. Well, we have put South Africa back on our radar and will be showing you some new and exciting stuff from Cape Classics which is one of the pioneers importers of this countries wines in the U.S. and they still to this day have some of the top names coming to our market from South Africa today.

Chef Oliver Saucy will be sending out a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. The fee for this event is $35 + tax. For reservations call 954-523-9463.

South African Wine Tasting at Cafe MaxxWednesday, July 17th6:30pm

Tasting Line-up:

2009 Weltevrede Philip Tonker Brut the Ring Blanc de Blanc Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $275.40

Winery Notes: Aromas of lemon grass, melon and mint lead to a crisp palate of green apple, citrus and honey. These complex flavors are flawlessly woven together to create an elegant Blanc de Blancs style in this delicate yet substantial bubbly. Appropriately named ‘The Ring,’ this was the first wine that owner, Philip Jonker ever made. As it matured over the course of three years, Philip fell in love and on his wedding day the cork was popped on the maiden vintage.

2012 Bayten Sauvignon Blanc Cape of Good Hope Price: $13.75       Sale $12.10          Case $140.25

From Wine Spectator Advance for 5/31/13:"Ripe but well-focused, with straw, white peach, kiwifruit pulp and pink grapefruit notes all wound together and extending through the well-defined finish. Very solid, this should mellow with modest cellaring. Drink now through 2015. 1,200 cases imported.—J.M. 

2011 Ken Forrester Vineyards Chenin Blanc Reserve Old Vine Stellenbosch Price: $16.50       Sale $14.52          Case $168.30

Winery Notes: Golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. Layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavours from lees contact. This wine is a great example of the harmonious balance which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavours, as they combine to form complex, soft flavours with sufficient body to enhance even spicy and full flavoured meals. A true benchmark for relaxed enjoyment.

2010 Bartinney Chardonnay Stellenbosch Price: $27.00       Sale $23.76          Case $275.40

This elegant Chardonnay displays a bouquet of apricot blossom and lemon with a delicate vanilla nuance. The intense yet soft and refined palate shows a prominent pineapple, citrus and ripe pear character, interlaced with chalky acidity and hints of toasted hazelnut.

2010 Kanonkop Pinotage Stellenbosch Price: $40.50       Sale $35.64          Case $413.10

Matured in mainly new 225 litre French Nevers barrels for up to 16 months. This is a full-bodied wine, has a deep ruby colour exuding the flavours of red and black berries, raspberry, plum and hints of banana.

2010 Raats Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch Price: $35.00       Sale $30.80          Case $357

This sexy, super-elegant Cabernet Franc shows the stunning heights this grape can attain! It combines a core of luscious blackberry, black cherry, and plum with expressive notes of cinnamon, tobacco, coffee, and spice. Silky tannins caress the palate, and hints of dark chocolate and a great minerality. This wine has a long and supple finish.

2009 Bartinney Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Price: $31.50       Sale $27.72          Case $321.30

This vibrant Cabernet displays aromas of plum and cassis with a subtle hint of mint. Luscious blackberry and cassis flavors are complemented by notes of dark chocolate, coffee and cedar, backed by refined tannins.

2007 Glenelly Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot Stellenbosch Price: $25.00       Sale $22.00          Case $255

Glenelly Grand Vin is the signature red blend of the estate. The wine is a deep and dark wine much like the 2006 vintage. Rich, savoury character of Shiraz with specific flavours of blackberries, cherries, cassis and floral tones. Good richness of ripe fruit and pepper-spice supported by a firm tannin structure. Very good oak integration. The palate entry develops a tremendous concentration of flavours with a very good complexity and a fresh long finish. 44% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 1% Petit-Verdot

The fee for this event is $35 + tax. For reservations call 954-523-9463.