Comments on: A superb South African tasting

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:08:46 +0000

Hi Jamie
Great to read your blog on “Taste the Earth” recently. How did the Cloof stack up in your opinion? as it would be good to get some feed back to the winery.

By: Kwispedoor

Kwispedoor — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:47:25 +0000

Hi, Jamie
To answer your question and follow Chris’s comment:
“Cape Blend” is not an official category, as such. There’s too much bickering in the industry, mainly around two points:
1. Some wine makers that make, for instance, a Cab/Shiraz blend insist that theirs is also a Cape Blend, being a blend from the Cape. I find them a bit belligerent, as those blends are already Australia’s forté. Pinotage is the ONE unique grape that we have that’s planted in large enough quantities and capable of making superb wines, provided they’re handled properly.
2. Those that insist Pinotage should form part of an authentic Cape Blend, disagree over the minimun percentage of Pinotage that should be required. This ia a more tricky issue, as there’s some stunning blends that contain small, but very influential bits of Pinotage.
I’m hoping the new ABSA competition is at least a step in the right direction.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:25:06 +0000

I think Jeroboams in London do have the Mullineux wines as well.

By: Alex Lake

Alex Lake — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:32:03 +0000

Yes – Swig or The Wine Society are good bets, but you may have missed them by now.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:52:22 +0000

You write “There’s real progress here”. Do you think there is a point (vintage-wise) from where on this is really evident?
The most recent vintage I’ve drunk respected South African reds from is 2003 and even though there is a restaint I appreciate, there’s still that nigly ‘South African earthiness’ (as CT users often describe it) spoiling the picture.
As a huge fan of New World cabs tired of the sweet, overworked examples out there, I’d be happy to hear this is still being managed differently in South Africa not only in the cellar but also in the vineyard!

By: william beavington

william beavington — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:16:05 +0000

Is it possible to purchase the Mullineux wines in the UK?

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:28:25 +0000

With regard to the Cape blend point above, Jamie. ABSA have just recently announced the expansion of their very successful Top 10 Pinotage competition and there will be a Cape Blend Competition added to the calender next year. Minimum requirement is 30% Pinotage in the blend, maximum 75%. So it would seem that they see a future in it, and with the backing that they have given to the Top 10 over the years, I would expect that their impetus will kickstart the ‘category’, irrespective of its merits.

By: jamiegoode

jamiegoode — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:14:31 +0000

Gareth, I don’t think the taste the earth theme really worked, but it was still a very good tasting with some high-calibre wines

Kwispedoor – point well taken. This is the best cape blend I’ve tasted. Is the category still active?

Keith, WOSA organized it – would have loved to have seen the Mullineux wines in there, but I already know how sensationally good they are.

By: Batonage

Batonage — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:50:42 +0000

Hi Jamie

Just a quick note to follow on to Kwispidoor’s post. The Waterford The Jem is not a Bordeaux blend either. They have all manner of varietals in there, including Shiraz, Sangiovese, Barbera, Mourvedre and also 3 Bordeaux varietals. It is interesting that amongst the red blends the super premium priced wines showed best.

By: keith Prothero

keith Prothero — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:36:39 +0000

Shame we did not know about this as would have loved to have put our wines in.
Do you know who organised this Jamie—–WOSA perhaps?