Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2014

Again a good South African white wine. Have been quite surprised by the elegance and restrained of the wines I`ve drinked lately. This Elgin valley Chradonnay I actually remember tasting many years ago. And it did leave an impression then. So decided to give it another go.

Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay
13.50%
15e (Wine-Searcher)

Balance is everything!
This feels like a musical miniature. Form, content and expression are beautifully in balance here. Minerality is like a steady Cello legato underneath, giving everything a liberating pulse.
Palate is full bodied but not heavy; quite pristine actually, fresh and playful, with strong and fine acidity. There`s also a nice savory edge to it. Hmm, I just can`t get over the musicality. A polyphonic wine. Really disciplined and elevating finish, collecting all the themes to a long and meditative ending. The use of oak is in perfection.
Persistent, lingering aftertaste. Creme brulee, toasted caramel, baked apples, lemon.
Gracefully powerful Chardonnay!
91

Bellingham Grenache Blanc Viognier 2014

Bellingham The Bernard Series Whole Bunch Grenache Blanc Viognier 2014
14.00%
20e (Wine-Searcher)

This is beautiful!
Fascinating aromas: peaches, lime, almost a hint of botrytis, toasty caramel, smoke, burnt wood and marshmallow.
The palate is full bodied, slightly oily, tropical and seductive. Also a touch smoky and savory. On the backgorund appears only a hint of oak and toastiness. Acidity, and chalky/mineral undertones gives energy and depth.
Has a lingering and nutty aftertaste with interesting, high pitched and bright lime/lime zest element emerging. The 14% Alcohol is impressively under control.
Big, bold and hedonistic, but at the same time surprisingly fresh and lively. Quite complex.
90

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014

DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
14,0%
23e (Wine-Searcher)


So, my white wine season has been opened.. Spring is finally here, fuck yeah!

South African whites haven`t been admittedly too much in my wine repertoire.
Made a promise to myself that this year I will start to explore white wine categories/styles out side of my comfort zone. In other words, probably more towards New World, and modern style...
This wine was given to me as a present, and was definitely a good start...

Aromatically a bit tight: some funk, bee wax, florality, lemon.
Electric first attack with a good weight, at first almost overwhelming; full of tropical fruits, ripe lychee, pears, lime, with a good amount of chalky minerality, and in the background a hint of  toasty caramel and creaminess. Full bodied, yet not too heavy at all, almost refreshing. 14% alc. feels only as a slight warmer.
Somewhat piercing acidity dominates a bit in the finish, and promises a good aging potential. Intriguingly long and profound aftertaste.
A gorgeous Chenin Blanc!
92