WINEBUZZ YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THINGS WINE ÷ Winter 2016 ÷ Issue 01 With the winemaker: Bruwer Raats – page 2 The Wine Diary – page 2 TALES OF TERROIR: AWARD-WINNING WINE PAYS HOMAGE TO SOUTH AFRICA’S FORGOTTEN GRAPE Seasonal Focus: Winter Wines – page 3 single vineyard wine created to pay derella of the industry and loads of Hermitage Cinsault,” says Raats. homage to the Hermitage grape vari- vineyards were uprooted and replaced by other The single vineyard bush vines date back to etal was recently lauded as the Grand varietals. Making this wine was a gamble, but 1974 and were meticulously cared for by hand. Cru National Champion “Best in Class” I thought it had great potential and I could do The lightly tinted, medium-bodied wine shows Aat the Top 100 SA Wine Awards. “Die Plêk” something to preserve an old block of wine and aromatic floral notes on the nose and follows Cinsault is the latest offering from Jasper Raats a piece of our winemaking heritage at the same through with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet Single Vineyard Wines. time,” explains Raats. spices and soft tannins on the palate. According to winemaker Raats, who is also Raats and his friend Rupert McNaught-Davis The wine was made following Raats’ natural cellar master of Longridge Wine Estate, he has have been discussing making a Cinsault from and bio-dynamic approach with no commer- always had a soft spot for Cinsault. “Hermitage the small 4-hectare block for a couple of years cial yeasts, enzymes or fining agents. It was is a heritage cultivar and was once considered and during the 2015 vintage Raats eventually matured in mature French oak for nine months the backbone of the South African wine indus- decided to take in some grapes to make the and is expected to improve with correct cellaring try. Cinsault. “I had a hunch that this could be a over the next 6-8 years. At some stage, it was the most prominent great wine and the recent accolades have obvi- Visit the Longridge tasting room to sample Boks turn winemakers red varietal in the country and we had the larg- ously proven me right. We named the wine “Die this exquisite wine or visit www.longridge.co.za est plantings of Cinsault in the world. Unfor- Plêk” as I think that the slopes of the Helderberg for more information. – page 3 tunately, this awesome variety became the Cin- mountains are just the perfect place to plant 48hWINE • WINEMAKER FOCUS Seen Wining: WITH THE WINEMAKER: BRUWER RAATS ward-winning winemaker cated himself to consistently pro- has gone into sourcing specific soil Bruwer Raats continues to ducing Chenin Blanc and Cabernet types and old low-yielding vineyards receive local and interna- Franc of outstanding quality. His located in the Stellenbosch, Paarl, tional acclaim for his ever- unwavering commitment to these Durbanville Hills and the Paarde- Aincreasing portfolio of exquisitely varietals has established him as a berg area. “The best viticultural soil crafted wines. After several successful New World leader in the production for Chenin Blanc in all the land is stints at prestigious wine estates in of these wines. Raats regularly hits undoubtedly located in and around the Banhoek Valley in the Cape, Bru- the headlines with positive write-ups Stellenbosch. We sourced from vines wer established Raats Family Wines by esteemed wine reviewers such as that were on average 25 years old, Blogger Twiggy Moli explores in 2000, acquired his own vineyard Matthew Jukes, Tim Atkins, James grown 250m above sea level - per- the magic of Stellenbosch and created a home for Raats Family Molesworth and Jancis Robinson in fect! The result is a truly distinctive Wines in 2004. definitive publications such as De- showcase for South African wine and This boutique winery is located canter, Wine Spectator, Wine Advo- soil.” explains Raats. Cobus Bekker of the Zomerlust in the Polkadraai Hills outside Stel- cate and even the New York Times. Another award-winning collabo- Guest House in Paarl introduces lenbosch, where Raats pursues his Constantly looking for new chal- ration has seen Raats creating a mag- their latest menu paired with passion for making incredible wines. lenges, Bruwer embarked on a new nificent Bordeaux blend called MR Noble Hill Sauvignon Blanc Widely considered a specialist in the venture with his winemaking cousin de Compostella with friend Mzokho- crafting of exceptional and truly dis- Gavin Slabbert last year to launch B na Mvemve. This heavenly blend has tinct wines from older Chenin Blanc Vintners, a range of sublime herit- wowed wine critics and connoisseurs and Cabernet Franc vineyards, this age wines and unique terroir spe- since its maiden vintage in 2004. 40-something winemaker has dedi- cific wines. A great deal of effort Legendary critic Neal Martin of The Wilna Rabe sips a glass of Neil Wine Advocate recently scored the Joubert Pinotage during the 2013 vintage a whopping 94 points Bastille day celebrations at and it was also as the best overall Afri-French market winner of the inaugural Riscura Red Hot Wine Awards last year. Martin has indeed been a staunch supporter of Raats and has even pro- claimed him to be “the most exciting and forward-thinking winemaker in Stellenbosch at the moment.” De- spite all these accolades, Bruwer remains a farmer at heart – at his Culinary consultant Marilou Jo Goebel tries the fabulous happiest driving his truck through Marais-Ferreira enjoying a Ferdinand’s selection of his his vineyards and creating magic in glass of Die Plêk Cinsault favourite Nederburg wines the cellar. ADVERTORIAL THE WINE Diary Boland Cellar – Pioneers The Goatshed at Fairview will be Burdukova and pianist Kerryn Wis- hosting their popular Food & Wine niewski. On Sunday, 27 September, Evenings again this winter, so pick the Nederburg Concert Series once Of Collaboration your favourite theme and book now again collaborates with the ATKV at [email protected] or phone in a concert featuring winners of Founded in 1941 and celebrating its 75th birthday 021 863 3609 for Viva Italia (12 Au- the ATKV Muziq and ATKV Muz- in 2016, gust) and Shank & Shiraz (26 Au- iqanto competitions. The winner of Boland Cellar in the beautiful Paarl Valley is one of gust). Muziqanto 2014, baritone Johannes South Africa’s oldest producer cellars and a regional Slabbert will share the stage with the specialist with a history of crafting internationally ac- winner of the Muziq 2015 competi- claimed wines. tion. Tickets at R220 per person can The ethos of collaboration which led to the es- be booked via email on concerts@ tablishment of Boland has remained until today and distell.co.za or on 021 809 8106. with growers, employees, agents and stakeholders working together, Boland has become one of South Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Africa’s leading brands. Prime vineyards across vari- Auction Showcase ous climatic zones guarantee consistency in style and Taste rare, individually crafted wines quality year after year. with creative flair and great diversity The cellar’s dedicated producer members deliver at the Nedbank Cape Winemakers grapes from approximately 2,500 hectares (almost Guild Auction Showcase to be held in 6,200 acres), from various vineyard sites in the Cape Nederburg Concert Series This Cape Town on Thursday, 18 August Coastal Area. These variations in terroir, micro- spectacular series of chamber music and Johannesburg on Wednesday, climates and soil-types combined with science and concerts runs from June to October 24 August 2016. This public tasting craftmanship, give Boland’s celebrated winemaking and takes place every last Sunday of gives wine enthusiasts the opportu- team the advantage to create wines of both high the month at the historical Neder- nity to taste these unique collectors’ quality and distinctive character. burg Manor House in Paarl. wines crafted exclusively in small The sparkling Esperanze Trio will volumes for the 2016 Nedbank Cape Five Climates Range be on stage on Sunday, 30 August, Winemakers Guild Auction by the Inspired by nature’s different climatic zones, each with flautist Liesl Stoltz, cellist Polina Guild’s 47 members. wine in this series represents a single varietal, culti- vated from various vineyard sites within the region. These grapes are blended to create an expression of each varietal with unmatched character. The Five Climates Range of wines is crafted to ap- peal to today’s wine drinker, with upfront aromas, juiciness and soft tannins that work together to cre- ate easy-drinking wines. Five Climates Chenin Blanc The 2016 vintage is an outstanding wine in the typical fresh, crispy and fruity style of Chenin Blanc projecting layers of lime, citrus & fresh guava aromas. Five Climates Shiraz This savoury, soft Shiraz is a true expression of the best Shiraz grapes presenting layers of sweet black- currant fruit with a pronounced black pepper finish on the palate. ENJOY our wines and after 75 years … THANK YOU for joining us on our journey. 2 The Next 48hOURS www.48hours.co.za Winter Edition 2016 The Next 48hOURS • SEASONAL FOCUS Seen Wining: SEASONAL FOCUS: WINTER WINES YOUNG SPRINGBOKS BOOST s the days grow shorter and hannesburg, Wine Cellar has also re- etals came under the spotlight at RUGBY DEVELOPMENT the temperatures plummet, leased their top five with Kanonkop the Cabernet Franc Carnival recent- it is time to light the fire- Black Label Pinotage 2014 crowned ly hosted at Avontuur. I love Cab Three Springbok and Stormers rug- the 2015 ES Merlot. Following in place and find some awe- as an overwhelming favourite. It is Francs because of their versatility. by players are getting their hands the winemaking footsteps of other Asome red wines to chase the winter fantastic to see this truly South Af- You can literally pick one that suits dirty to make a contribution to- rugby legends such as Jan Boland blues away.