James Molesworth's Recommended Wines from South Africa

James Molesworth’s Recommended Wines From South Africa More than 350 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available at www.winespectator.com/043010. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings search.

Top Wines Top Wines (continued) wine Score pRice wine Score pRice de Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch 2007 95 $80 Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc Jonkershoek Valley 92 $27 Still a bit chunky now, but there’s a great core of braised fig, cocoa, Vineyard Selection 2007 anise, blackberry and tar, all layered with graphite and black tea.The Very lively, with rich straw and lemon verbena notes offset by vibrant muscular finish has serious grip thanks to a mouthwatering iron hint. chive, mâche and honeysuckle. This has a riveting feel.

Sadie Family Columella Swartland 2007 95 $78 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch The FMC 2008 92 $65 Captivating, with a stunning array of loganberry, raspberry, black- A ripe, exotic style, with almond tuile, fig and glazed pear notes. berry and boysenberry fruit, all kept racy and invigorating by the This has an off-dry hint, but stays balanced. well-embedded acidity and bright minerality. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Hartenberg The Stork Stellenbosch 2005 92 $140 de Trafford Straw Wine Stellenbosch 2007 94 $47 Maturing, but still very fresh, with damson plum, fig and boysenberry Dried persimmon, mango, creamed peach and freshly baked tuile l 375m fruit laced with tangy iron and spice hints. Shiraz. notes form the core of this flattering sweetie. Chenin Blanc. Rudera Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch Noble Late Harvest 2006 92 $25 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Coastal Region 2006 93 $47 Thoroughly enticing, with fresh-cut peach, orange zest, tangerine 375ml Big and powerful, with coffee, black currant and loam backed by sage and heather honey notes. Stays fresh and bright. and tobacco. Muscular, but without sacrificing balance. Spice Route Malabar Swartland 2005 92 $66 Ken Forrester The Gypsy Stellenbosch 2006 93 $65 Exotic and flashy, but well-integrated, with fig, hoisin sauce, melted Rich but perfumy, with raspberry ganache and red cherry flavors licorice, currant and blackberry fruit. Syrah blend. laced with spice, incense and black tea. Grenache blend. Spice Route Syrah Swartland Flagship 2006 92 $38 Rust en Vrede Stellenbosch 2006 93 $40 Deep, with melted fig, hoisin sauce, freshly ground espresso, aged Ripe and polished, with a superfresh core of red and black currant tobacco and loam notes. This still has plenty of muscle. fruit, licorice, spice cake and braised fig. Cabernet blend. Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch The Mint 2007 92 $45 Sadie Family Palladius Swartland 2008 93 $58 This has a plush, stylish core of black currant, melted fig and acai Graham cracker, heather honey and chamomile notes lead to creamy berry flavors. Seamless, complex and long. melon, peach and persimmon fruit flavors. Chenin Blanc blend. Thelema Shiraz Stellenbosch 2006 92 $37 Rudi Schultz Syrah Stellenbosch 2006 93 $37 Superripe and lush, but with ample drive, as the melted licorice, Almost exotic, with raspberry ganache, braised fig and bittersweet mocha and fig paste notes glide along. Deftly balanced. cocoa, but the buried acidity is superfresh. Impressive.

Vins d’Orrance Syrah Stellenbosch Cuvée Ameena 2006 93 $40 Top Values Really packed, with fig, ganache, roasted vanilla bean and espresso wine Score pRice notes backed by currant paste and hoisin sauce. Spice Route Chakalaka Swartland 2007 91 $20 Waterford The Jem Stellenbosch 2005 93 $NA Very pure, with sanguine notes piercing through the deliciously ripe Powerful, with a core of red and black currant fruit, plum sauce blackberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Syrah blend. and iron. There’s impressive range and depth. Cabernet blend. Glen Carlou Grand Classique Paarl 2005 90 $20 A.A. Badenhorst Family Coastal Region 2006 92 $NA A dark, winey version, with solid grip to the black currant, fig sauce Enticing, with a silky, racy palate of black currant, black Mission fig, and espresso notes. Rock-solid. Cabernet blend. iron, incense and lavender notes. Shiraz blend. Rudera Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2007 90 $17 Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 92 $47 A rich style, with cardamom and ginger notes up front, followed Franschhoek 2006 by buttered brioche, tangerine and orange zest hints. Rich and muscular, but with plenty of precision to the cedar, espresso, Rustenberg Chardonnay Stellenbosch 2008 90 $20 macerated currant, tobacco and loam notes. Delicious, with gorgeous melon, Bosc pearand Jonagold apple flavors Boekenhoutskloof The Journeyman Franschhoek 2007 92 $NA offset by a stylish streak of grilled hazelnut. Offers a rich but silky combination of fig, mulled currant, sweet Darling Cellars Shiraz Darling Onyx 2007 89 $15 tapenade and tar. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. A racy, tangy style, with raspberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruit.

Cirrus Syrah Stellenbosch 2007 92 $55 Glen Carlou Chardonnay Paarl 2007 89 $16 A ripe, plush style, with alluring plum, currant paste and hoisin sauce A ripe, toasty style, offering fig, brioche and pear tartine notes. notes laced with hints of pastis and violet. Goats do Roam Wine Company Goat-Roti 89 $20 de Trafford Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2008 92 $27 Coastal Region 2007 Lovely mango, buttered almond, quince and fig flavors glide along, Plush, with blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Syrah and Viognier. with dried pineapple and orange blossom in the background. Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc Walker Bay 2008 89 $18 de Trafford Shiraz Stellenbosch Blueprint 2007 92 $37 Superfresh, with forward chive, lemon zest, thyme and straw notes. Dark, with a brooding edge to the black currant, fig and blackberry fruit flavors laid over briar, bittersweet cocoa and melted licorice snap. Warwick The First Lady Western Cape 2007 89 $15 Juicy, with a core of dark cherry, currant and fig fruit. Cabernet blend.