Lyle MCC 2006
Methode Cap Classique of 45% Pinot Noir and 55% Chardonnay with 27 months on the lees. 10% wooded in New French barriques. Very clean and fresh with a hint of citrus and some nutty tones. The palate is rich with wonderful biscuit flavours and a long creamy follow through.
Platter Wine Guide 2011: 4 *
R95 per bottle | R1140 per case of 12
Sauvignon Blanc 2010
The grapes come from our farm in Elgin, where the cool temperatures are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc. We picked in 2 stages. The first pick was done when the grapes still had fairly tight acidity, giving just the right amount of crispness to the wine. The second pick was done when the grapes were riper to get those delicious tropical fruit flavours on the mid palate. This has resulted in a wine with that wonderful balance of fruit and acidity.
R50 per bottle | R600 per case of 12
Heart of the Lees 2009
This Sauvignon Blanc was left on the lees to extract a maximum of flavour and then matured in 3rd fill French oak barriques for 12 months. This wine is a great accompaniment to food with wonderful Sauvignon freshness and hints of toast, nuts and citrus.
Platter 2012: 4*
R75 per bottle | R900 per case of 12
The 'J' 2010
This is a fragrant blend of Viognier, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, named in memory of Nigel's aunt. Her name was Jackie, but we called her 'J'. Partially barrel fermented, this wine has creamy, spicy flavours reminiscent of peaches, apricot and melon.
Platter 2012: 4*
R75 per bottle | R900 per case of 12
Semillon Reserve 2007
This is a wonderful wine to serve with seafood. The grapes were picked at optimum ripeness, the juice was fermented in French oak barrels, whereafter the wine was matured in the barrels for 12 months. It is an exceptionally well balanced wine with the lemony freshness of the fruit mellowing into a soft, gentle palate with a creamy texture. There are subtle spicy oak and honey overtones.
Platter 2010: 4*
R60 per bottle | R720 per case of 24
Semillon Reserve 2008
A classic example of Semillon grown in the Franschhoek area. Partly from 60 year old bush vines, this wine has a creamy texture and wonderful limey depths. The honey overtones so typical of the cultivar are beginning to develop and will become more pronounced with keeping. This is a wonderful wine to serve with rich seafood dishes.
Platter 2011: 4.5*
R85 per bottle | R1020 per case of 12
Camissa 2008
This wine exhibits the richness of Merlot, the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon and the subtle fruit of Shiraz. Rich mocha, chocolate, blackberry and cherry combine, filling the mouth with wonderful layers of flavour.
Platter 2012: 3.5*
R60 per bottle | R720 per case of 12
Shiraz 2008
Maturation took place in small oak barrels for 26 months. (A combination of new, 2nd and 3rd fill French barrels were used.) Rich berry structure and warm earthy flavours. The tannins are soft and round and the sweetness of the fruit is beautifully balanced by gentle acidity. This wine has a lingering aftertaste with subtle hints of coffee and chocolate.
Platter 2012: 3.5*
R75 per bottle | R900 per case of 12
Syrah 2009
90% Shiraz with 10% Mourvedre, this wine was matured in 2nd and 3rd fill French oak for 30 months. This wine has an incredible concentration of fruit flavours, excellent body and warm earthy aromas. This is an 'Old World Style Shiraz' where the delicious ripe fruit is allowed to express itself without the overt influence of wood.
Platter 2012: 4.5*
R90 per bottle | R1080 per case of 12
The Max 2008
This Bordeaux Style blend is made up of about 50% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot. It was matured in mostly new French barriques for 27 months. The Cabernet Sauvignon gives it backbone, the Merlot the delicious ripe fruit, while the Malbec and Petit Verdot add extra depth and another layer of flavour. This wine, like its namesake, our 5 year old Jack Russel, has serious attitude!
Platter 2011: 4*
R90 per bottle | R1080 per case of 12
Ghost Gum Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
This single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon went into 100% New French oak barriques for a total of 30 months. 5% Petit Verdot was added to give another layer of flavour. Tantalizing layers of rich blackcurrant and cassis combine with the firm, ripe, svelty tannins to produce a wine with great structure and finesse. The flavours linger on the palate, giving it a wonderful long followthrough. This wine begs to be cellared, but the flavours are so rich and addictive that it is going to be difficult to resist.
Platter 2012: 4.5*
R250 per bottle | R3000 per case of 12
Snow Gum 2006
This was a very limited release wine, with only 2000 bottles being produced. The vineyards were pruned right back for maximum quality and were cropped at less than 3 tons per hectare. It is a blend of 62% Malbec and 38% Mouvedré. We wanted the delicious ripe fruits to express themselves without the overt influence of any new wood and so the wine was matured in 2nd and 3rd fill French barriques for 32 months. This is a robust wine with a great depth of flavour. It has deep gamey appeal with hints of sweet leather in a sleeve of velvet.
Platter 2011: 4*
R160 per bottle | R1920 per case of 12
SMV 2008
This is a blend of 62% Shiraz, 30% Mouvedré and 8% Viognier. The Viognier was left to fully ripen on the vines and was harvested together with the Shiraz. The Mouvedré was blended in just before bottling. The resulting wine is full bodied with great intensity of flavour and a wonderful rich earthiness reminiscent of leather and forest floor. The Viognier comes through with just a suggestion of ripe peaches and apricots. A wonderful wine with slow cooked winter food.
Not Tasted for Platter 2012
R90 per bottle | R1080 per case of 12
Rose de Vert
Rose de Vert means 'pink from green'. It is a delicately coloured wine made from rare red skinned Semillon grapes. Semillon is known in the industry as 'Groen druif', hence the name Pink from Green. Not as sweet as a desert wine it is the ideal partner for cheese at the end of the meal. (375 ml bottle)
Platter 2011: 4*
R75 per bottle | R900 per case of 12
V on A Dessert Wine
When we first started producing Viognier, I had trouble pronouncing it until Nigel told me to say 'V on A'. That was it - we call it : Stony Brook V on A. 100% Viognier grapes that are left to fully ripen on the vines. The juice was then barrel fermented and left in the New French oak barriques for 12 months. The resulting wine has wonderful peach, apricot and melon flavours and is rich and full of flavour without being in the least cloying. Wonderful with Crème Brulleé.
Platter 2011: 4.5*
R105 per bottle | R1260 per case of 12
White Ash Bluff Sauvignon Blanc 2010
This Sauvignon Blanc has been made from grapes grown on a single vineyard located on the north bank of Marlborough's Awatere Valley. On the nose smoky notes mingle with currants & herbal notes, along with hints of lychee. The palate is defined by layers of flavor that subtly unfold. Touches of dried herbs and a chalky minerality and appear as this wine opens up. It is all held together by a lovely acidity that glides through the wine giving it great structure & persistence of flavour.
Michael Cooper: 5*
R110 per bottle | R1320 per case of 12
