|
The
wines of
Steenberg, Constantia
PO
Box 10801, Steenberg Estate, 7945, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 713 2211 Fax: +27 21 713 2201
E-mail: info@steenberg.co.za
 Steenberg stands alone a short drive from the other four
Constantia estates, in neighbouring Tokai. It has only
a relatively recent history of wine grape growing: the 205 ha estate
was purchased in 1990 by a large mining company who have renovated and
developed it into a wine estate with luxury accommodation and a golf
course. And, of course, six foot perimeter fencing with
electrification. It's clearly an ambitious place, making a wide
range of wines of uniformly high quality from the 68 ha of vines that
have been planted here. The whites are slightly stronger than the
reds, in my opinion. Although I visited the estate and its
restaurant (beautiful setting, very good food, expensive by South African standards, and
professional but rather self-conscious service) I didn't taste here:
the notes below are from the London Wine Trade Fair in May 2003, and a
Waitrose (UK retailer) press tasting in April 2003.
Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc
2002 Constantia
Striking, intensely grassy crisp nose which is nettly and a bit
herbaceous. The palate is crisp and concentrated, with lively grassy
flavours. A touch of greenness, but very nice. Very good+ 87 (£8.99
Waitrose)
Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc
2003 Constantia
Quite a crisp grassy nose with vivid fruit. Good concentration of
crisp fruit on the palate: delicious, ripe and yet still quite
delicate. Very good/excellent 90
Steenberg Reserve Sauvignon
Blanc 2003 Constantia
Taut minerally nose is crisp and fresh with a lovely concentration
of ripe fruit on the palate. Good intensity and minerality here,
verging on a rich style. Very good/excellent 92
Steenberg Semillon 2002
Constantia
Lovely crisp, grassy lemony fruit combining well with subtle
toasty oak. The palate is concentrated and well balanced with the oak
providing a nice foil for the toasty fruit. Very good+ 89 (£7.99
Waitrose)
Steenberg Semillon 2003
Constantia
In barrel for three months – this has just come out. Lovely
racy, forward nose showing classy, toasty, nutty, bready oak notes.
Very fresh and lemony. The palate is rich, full and gently herby, with
well integrated nutty oak. Delicious. Very good/excellent 90
Steenberg Merlot 2001
Constantia
Very ripe, almost sweet berry fruit nose with a seductive
chocolatey richness. The palate is rich and chewy with lots of pure
chocolatey fruit and a slight minerally, chalky edge. Forward and
rich. Very good+ 89
(£9.99 Waitrose - I scored it 87 at their press tasting with
consistent notes)
Steenberg Catharina 2000
Constantia
A blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz that spends 18 months in
new French oak. Sweet chocolatey, spicy nose is quite ambitious. The
palate shows a good concentration of spicy, herby berry and black
fruits with a tarry, spicy structure. Quite full, with potential. Very
good+ 88
Steenberg Nebbiolo 2001
Constantia
The fifth vintage of this wine made from the Italian grape famous
for its role in Barolo and Barbaresco. Quite pale in colour. Shy nose,
but the palate shows some appealing herb-tinged spicy savoury fruit,
with quite firm tannins. Nice structure: not showy, but tasty and
savoury. Very good+ 89
Steenberg Shiraz 2001
Constantia
Distinctive meaty, green olive nose, which is herby, rich and
spicy. The palate is firm, savoury and shows a nice meaty, green olive
edge to the fruit. Good acidity. A distinctive style which may be
off-putting for some, but I like it. Very good/excellent 90
Back
to the Constantia wine route
Back to top
|
