March/April 2014 Issue: Top Six Rosé/Blanc de Noir, Chenin Blanc & Merlot wines
Cathryn Henderson (Editor: Classic Wine)
The Top Six Chenin Blancs for Classic Wine comprised a unanimously rated 5-Star wine, the Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2012 from Alvi’s Drift, with its fine integration of oak and fruit – and it was not the only Chenin from Alvi’s Drift in this Top Six! A 4½-Star wine, the Kanu KCB 2011, a frequently top-rated producer of Chenin, was noted as "a big style, brilliantly executed". The other four wines rated 4 Stars were: Alvi’s Drift Chenin Blanc 2013, Credo Quattuor Chenin Blanc 2010 from Stellenbosch Vineyards, Rijk’s Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2009 and Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2011.
Comments from the Chair, Michael Crossley, international wine taster and director at Reciprocal Trading, about the state of Chenin: "Every vintage from 2009 to 2013 in the Top Six… highlights the varietal’s ageing potential and the fact that it produces a variety of styles from 'fresh and youthful drinking' to 'more mature, age-worthy wines'."
In the Top Six Rosé/Blanc de Noir category tasting, 4-Star ratings were found for Dornier Cocoa Hill Rosé 2013, Newton Johnson Felicité Rosé 2013 and Vondeling Rosé 2013. The other three wines in the Top Six, with 3½ Stars, were: Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2013, Fish Hoek Rosé 2013 and Strandveld First Sighting Rosé 2013. Chair of the panel Fiona McDonald, international wine taster and writer, noted: "One thing this category offers up is huge enjoyment of fruit – lots of tangy, lip-smackingly fresh berries." Other members of the panel said they were more than happy to reassess any prejudices about the category as a result of the quality found in this tasting – "dry, light, well-balanced and with a good ratio of fruit to acid".
The Top Six Merlots were all rated 4 Stars: Anthonij Rupert Merlot 2007, De Trafford Merlot 2009, Marklew Merlot 2011, Shannon Mount Bullet 2011, Sterhuis Merlot 2008 and Whalehaven Merlot 2010. The panel, chaired by Ginette de Fleuriot CWM, agreed that these Top Six wines were "of discernment: fuller-bodied and displaying structure yet remaining supple-textured as the best Merlots do".
Below is the listing of the Classic Wine Top Six Chenin Blanc, Rosé/Blanc de Noir and Merlot wines from the March/April 2014 issue. This first issue of 2014 features these wines along with informative and entertaining articles, including the classic pairing of wine and words – from wine racks to bookcases, an historical wine love story, wine label collecting – the vinititulists, wine made by the coast, 10 exotic wine destinations, and more…
CLASSIC TOP SIX CHENIN BLANCS
5 Stars: Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc 2012 R180
4½ Stars: Kanu KCB 2011 R95
4 Stars: Alvi’s Drift Chenin Blanc 2013 R34, Credo Quattuor Chenin Blanc 2010 (Stellenbosch Vineyards) R100, Rijk’s Private Cellar Chenin Blanc 2009 R96.90, Rudera Robusto Chenin Blanc 2011 R110
CLASSIC TOP SIX ROSÉS/BLANC DE NOIRS
4 Stars: Dornier Cocoa Hill Rosé 2013 R48, Newton Johnson Felicité Rosé 2013 R50, Vondeling Rosé 2013 R42.50
3½ Stars: Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2013 R38, Fish Hoek Rosé 2013 R35, Strandveld First Sighting Rosé 2013 R48
CLASSIC TOP SIX MERLOTS
4 Stars: Anthonij Rupert Merlot 2007 R410, De Trafford Merlot 2009 R200, Marklew Merlot 2011 R120, Shannon Mount Bullet 2011 R270, Sterhuis Merlot 2008 R105, Whalehaven Merlot 2010 R120
NOTES
Classic Wine’s panel tastings are conducted with the labels completely out of sight. Audited, independent, unsighted wine tastings are invaluable in ensuring credibility and in safeguarding the integrity of the industry. They are also a source of editorial interest from a local to a global reach.
The tasting procedures and results are audited by chartered accountants Deloitte. The wines reviewed are generally sourced from the producers, assessed within their category, and are stored and served at optimal temperatures in a controlled tasting environment.
Panellists include Wine Judging Academy graduates, Cape Wine Masters, top winemakers, sommeliers, retailers, and leading wine writers and commentators. An associate panellist is included to facilitate training opportunities for unsighted tastings, although their scores are excluded from the rating calculation. This is an initiative unique to Classic Wine.
After the tasters have scored the wines independently, star ratings are awarded on the basis of discussion that involves retasting where necessary to ensure consensus, and avoid relying solely on an arithmetic average. Wineries are sent feedback on wines that do not receive star ratings, ie wines that are found to be unacceptable or faulty.
Where a winemaker is part of the panel, the scores for their own wines are excluded from the rating calculation for that particular wine.
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