South Africa

JANUARY 2024

I had the good fortune of doing a 4-month internship at a hospital in Soweto in the spring of 1994 during the election of Nelson Mandela. It was an amazing experience. During my time there (well before I was in the wine business), I took a trip to Cape Town and visited South Africa's wine country. It's maybe the most stunningly beautiful place I have ever seen. I loved the wines then, and I continue to love them today. South African wines are not readily available in Seattle, but we work hard to keep a nice selection in stock.

This month's 2-bottle club features Pinotage & Chenin Blanc. The 3-bottle club adds in a Shiraz. I think all three wines are excellent and representative of the work coming out of South Africa. I hope you enjoy them, too.

2-BOTTLE CLUB

Southern Right Winery
Walker Bay

Named after the southern right whale, this breathtaking 448 hectare estate is located in the cool, maritime Hemel-en-Aarde appellation, less than 10 minutes from the ocean where the southern right whales swim by during their annual migration. (see photo top)

Anthony Hamilton Russell (famous winemaker and owner of several other estates) purchased this property in 2005 with the stated goal of making age-worthy Pinotage, South Africa's signature grape. Only grown in South Africa, Pinotage is a cross of Pinot Noir and Hermitage (now called Cinsault) and is known for its black fruit flavors and savory notes of smoke, leather, tobacco and sometimes even cured meats.

Southern Right 2021 Pinotage
Walker Bay, South Africa // Reg $35.99 | Mixed Case $28.79

100% Pinotage from 69% ferricrete-rich granitic soils, 20% decomposed granite, 11% low-vigour, stony, clay-rich, shale-derived soil.

Blue- & blackberries on the nose. A little forest floor. Pretty herbal, too, in a fun way. Flavors of plums, blackberries and then herbs... a little coffee... long finish. Fuller-bodied. Soft tannins. I think this wine is so complex. Absolutely great wine for the money. Enjoy with pepper steak, a rich, creamy mushroom dish, or roasted duck. Drink now to 4-5 years.

Mulderbosch Vineyards
Stellenbosch

In 1989, Larry Jacobs and Mike Dobrovic purchased a "run-down old fruit farm with no history of viticulture" and decided to make a go of it. With an emphasis on innovation and making the most of the natural gifts of their property – "varied soils and diverse topography of sloping hills and valleys, plus its cooling closeness to the sea" – they've made wines to critical acclaim starting with their first vintage in 1992.

Below: baby duiker that was stuck in a fence, saved by the vineyard team during harvest

Mulderbosch 2022 Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch, South Africa // Reg $19.99 | Mixed Case $15.99

100% Chenin Blanc. 35% fermented in neutral French oak barrels and the remaining 65% in stainless steel tanks for 6 months.

Stone fruit on the nose. Well-balanced, elegant, with some richness. Apples, pears, peach & pineapple. Soft, pleasant acidity. Wonderful winter white. Roasted chicken, salmon, halibut, pork sausages. Drink now to 2 years.

3-BOTTLE CLUB

Erasmus 2019 Shiraz
Coastal Region, South Africa // Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39

Erlank Erasmus (pictured) sources grapes from around Swartland (north of Cape Town) to produce several lines of wines through his Cape Wine Company.

100% Shiraz. Blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries. LOTS of fruit. Rich nose. A big bramble. Fruit again on the palate with a spicy note. Full-bodied. Very soft tannins and acidity. Rib-roast! Duck breast! Leg of lamb! You're gonna love this wine! Drink now to 2-3 years.

Happy New Year! These wines are stellar. Hope they set the tone for you for 2024!

Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop