2010 Indaba Chenin Blanc

"Indaba" is the Zulu word for "a meeting of the minds," or a traditional gathering of tribal leaders for a sharing of ideas. The brand was created as a celebration of the democratization process in South Africa, and from its inception, the wines have conveyed the spirit of South Africa to American consumers. A portion of the proceeds from the Indaba wines supports a scholarship for formerly disenfranchised South Africans who are interested in wine-related careers. Through growth of the brand and via the affiliated scholarship, Indaba is proud to be a part of the positive changes that are altering the face of South Africa's wine industry.

            Chenin Blanc is South Africa's most widely planted varietal and the Cape's signature white. This fresh, easy-drinking version offers luscious flavors of tropical fruit, melon and honeyed pear, backed by bright citrus flavors. Lively peppery notes and an underlying mineral character shine through on the finish.

            Grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites in Stellenbosch, Paarl and Swartland, characterized by soils of Table Mountain sandstone and decomposed Dolomite granite. Approximately 70% of the vines are low-yielding dry farmed bush vines, with an average age of 20+ years. A small component hails from 54 year old bush vines. The challenging 2010 vintage was characterized by very low yields (due to heavy rains and strong winds early in the growing season) but high quality, with bright acidity and intense, concentrated flavors in the grapes. Mild weather in the early stages of ripening followed by a hot January resulted in an earlier than usual harvest. The grapes were hand picked in the cool early morning hours. Approximately half of the (mostly free run) juice was left in contact with the skins for 2-3 hours and was then cold fermented in stainless steel. The wine was aged in tank for four months sur lie for an enhanced richness on the palate.

Our Price: 8.27
 

2008 Rustenberg Chardonnay

Rustenberg is one of South Africa's oldest and most distinguished wine farms, with a viticultural history dating back to 1682. The estate was purchased by Peter and Pamela Barlow in 1941, and today it is run by their son Simon. Despite its long history, Rustenberg has one of the most modern cellars in the Cape. The estate produces wines of incredible depth and longevity, crafted with technology and tradition in tandem. Their Stellenbosch range of wines displays what Rustenberg feels are the ideal wines for that region, while their single vineyard wines depict and characterize varietal brilliance.

            This Burgundian-style barrel fermented Chardonnay possesses an alluring flinty, minerally quality and loads of finesse. It's packed with aromas and flavors of apple, citrus, and fig as well as plenty of toasty, nutty nuance imparted by the well-integrated oak.

            The grapes were hand harvested and chilled overnight. They were then whole cluster pressed, and the juice was run directly into cask, where fermentation was allowed to occur naturally. The wine was aged for one year in French oak, with regular lees stirring and a bi-weekly topping of the casks. 12 months in 300 liter Burgundian oak barrels (40% new, 60% second fill).

Our Price: 19.27
 

2010 Mulderbosch Cabernet Rose

Founded in 1989, Mulderbosch quickly captured the attention and respect of the wine world with their racy Sauvignon Blanc, helping to create a reputation for South Africa as a source of world-class wines. Widely recognized as one of South Africa's finest producers, Mulderbosch has attained both critical and commercial success, crafting an award-winning range of wines that consistently earn top ratings and Wine Spectator "Smart Buy" and "Outstanding Value" accolades. The 48 hectare estate is situated in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch. 25% of the Mulderbosch property has been dedicated to a conservancy, ensuring the preservation of indigenous vegetation and wildlife.

            This sexy, sophisticated dry rosé combines mouthwatering flavors of wild strawberry and pomegranate with graceful notes of lavender and herbes de provence. It's a versatile and accessible pink for all seasons!

            The grapes are sourced from carefully selected vineyards located within the regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Durbanville. Soils are predominantly decomposed Malmesbury shale and Tukulu, a form of decomposed granite. Vines - a combination of bush vines and trellised - range in age from 9-25 years. The 2010 harvest brought excellent quality fruit, although yields were significantly reduced due to extreme winds early in the growing season. Cooler than usual weather interspersed with the typical heat spikes leading up to harvest caused the grapes to retain high natural acidity, allowing for full phenolic ripeness at lower sugar levels than normal. The resulting wines display a fresh character, with bright acidity and lower alcohol levels. The grapes were hand harvested and crushed into stainless steel fermenters. The resulting must was then cold-macerated until the free run juice attained its desired color. After settling in tank, the free run juice was racked and inoculated with selected yeast cultures, and fermentation occurred at temperatures between 12 and 16°C. After fermentation, the wine was aged on its lees and underwent a light fining and filtration before bottling.

Our Price: 11.27
 

2008 DMZ Shiraz

De Morgenzon is Dutch for "the morning sun," a fitting name for this boutique property high on the Stellenboschkloof, which is the first to be touched by the rising sun's rays. De Morgenzon's high altitude vineyards command sweeping views of Table Mountain and Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Embracing the philosophy that a biodiverse and ecologically sensitive environment produces infinitely better grapes, proprietors Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum have established De Morgenzon as a 91 hectare garden interspersed with 55 hectares of carefully tended vineyards, where abundant wildflowers flourish between the vines. The vineyards are currently farmed naturally, and the estate is in the process of converting to organic farming. DMZ is De Morgenzon's value label, where the objective is to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines which over-deliver in terms of quality for price.

            This vintage marks the debut of De Morgenzon's DMZ label, where the objective is to produce classic, elegant, well-balanced wines which over-deliver in terms of quality and value. The voluptuous Shiraz bottling - crafted completely from estate fruit - is brimming with rich, ripe berry and plum flavors coupled with seductive floral notes. Distinctive hints of white pepper, exotic spice and vanilla follow through on the finish.

            The grapes were handpicked, destemmed, and crushed into stainless steel fermentation tanks, where the juice and skins were left to cold soak for 2 days. During fermentation, pumpovers were performed three times daily. Once fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed off the skins and racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation and aging. 11 months in predominantly French oak barrels (30% new, 40% second fill, 30% third fill).
 

Our Price: 14.77
 

2007 Glenelly Grand Vin de Glenelly

Located on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg, Glenelly is owned by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, Bordeaux doyenne and former owner of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Struck by the tremendous potential of South Africa's terroir and the beauty of the country, Mme de Lencquesaing decided to embark on a French adventure on African soil. She purchased Glenelly in 2003, and subsequently planted 66 of the property's 128 hectares to vineyards. The first estate-grown fruit came on line in 2007, and Glenelly's state-of-the-art winery building was completed in 2009. The wines are fermented naturally and made with as little intervention as possible, seeking to achieve the perfect balance of French style and South African terroir.

            44% Shiraz, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Grand Vin de Glenelly is the estate's signature red blend. It exhibits great intensity and complexity, with finegrained tannins that are firm yet elegant. The rich, savory character of Shiraz is enhanced by lush, concentrated flavors of blackberry, cherry and cassis, supported by floral tones and notes of tobacco and spice.

            The majority of the grapes for the Grand Vin were grown on the Glenelly Estate vineyards on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg. Vineyard soils are predominantly decomposed granite with a deep layer of clay. A cooler than normal growing season was marked by January heat waves and above average rainfall in February and March, resulting in a long harvest season and delayed ripening for reds. Small, concentrated berries created wines of great complexity, elegance and power. The grapes were hand picked, hand sorted and lightly crushed into stainless steel tanks, where they were cold soaked for three days. Natural fermentation took place in tank, with pumpovers performed twice daily. The wine was left for two to three weeks of extended post-fermentation skin contact, then gently pressed and run to French oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 second fill, 1/3 third fill) for malolactic fermentation and aging, with each varietal kept separate. The wine was aged on its lees for three months and subsequently racked approximately every four months. After six months of aging, the wine was blended, then returned to barrel for an additional six months. It was clarified with egg whites before bottling.

Our Price: 25.57