Big Shiraz Taste-off!
With a few new kids on the block cracking massive ratings with their maiden shirazes, we thought it a great idea to taste them off against a few international and local benchmarks. We were 9 tasters (winemakers, critics and pundits) with 9 wines at the Hussar Grill Rondebosch in order to confirm our findings over some of the best steaks in Cape Town. They also don’t ask for corkage and have reasonable glassware.
Methodology:
We thought of a new concept in decanting all the wines for 5 hours and then recanting them back into different bottles, but into one of the 9 in the tasting. Therefore each taster new the line-up, but not the order. This made for a confusing tasting, as one had to refer to a specific bottle but not its contents! Once the consensus of each wine was reached we unveiled a piece of paper with the all important bottle-swaps and order.
Here are the results which were echoed by most if not all the tasters.
1- Vin de Orrance Syrah Cuvee Ameena Swartland/Elgin 2008 - R150
An old-world feel with a touch of volatile notes. Very deep and sultry. Plush, savoury and elegant palate with the oak (about 40% new) fully integrated and fine. Textured, fine tannins and an extremely long, seamless finish. Who’s can this be?
This was the by far the favourite of the evening with 6 votes out of 9. And it was great that Christoph Durand (owner/winemaker) didn’t recognise it and voted it as his favourite!
18.5/20 WS 92
2- Keermont Syrah, Stellenbosch 2009 - R166
Roast beef, black pepper and dark fruits. Very Rhone-like! Lots of tension and grip in a spicy, fleshy core and mineral finish. So tight, even with 5 hours decanting. Made by Alex Starey in the valley made famous by David Trafford. Keermont is clearly a winery to look out for. A super wine and a clear Number 2 of the tasting.
18/20 WA 94
3- Eagles Nest Shiraz, Contstantia 2008 R 175 Sold Out – 2009 R225
Slight herb (cooler climate?), mineral, chocolate and red-berry character. Quite fine, layered and texture. Thickish, sweet finish, works very well. Some dry, oak, but still very good.
17.5/20 WA 91
3- Chapoutier St Joseph Les Granits, Rhone 2007 R 365 Sold out
Also quite herby, almost green-pepper (in a good way). Lean, tight and feminine, sweet/sour palate and perfume complexity. Delicate, but long finish.
17.5/20 – WA 92-95
3- Mullineux Syrah, Swartland 2009 – R195
Quite opulent and ripe, plenty perfume, freshness and cranberry notes. A little mineral note along with a sweet/sour character points towards the old world. Quite silky and sexy in a delicate way.
17.5/20 WA 92
6- Conch Y Toro Terrunyo Syrah, Cachapoal Valley Chile 2007 - R305
Ribena! This must be the Chilean! Polished pure juicy fruit, but with a savoury finish. Well made, entertaining and well balance. Will have its followers.
17/20 WS 91
7- Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage, Rhone 2009 R195
Black fruits, olives and a touch of fennel. Sinewy, sweet/sour with salty, chunky tannins. Not very polished, quite big and tannic. Needs time. Quite typical for Graillot in a ripe vintage. This is said to be their best yet and I think it will deliver in 5-8 years.
16.5/20 WA 90
8- Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Wellington 2009 R255
Very oaky, chunky, sweet, vanilla and pepper. Sweetness on the palate with perfume and cranberry finish. Modern and stylish. One of the few bottles that wasn’t empty very quickly
16/20 Platter 5*
8- Glenelly Glass Collection Shiraz, Stellenbosch 2009 R69
Slightly reductive, rich, modern and warming. Quite thick and oak with some ‘stemmy’ tannins. Some time in the bottle with help integrate all the parts. Great value.
16/20
November 2011