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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Doran Vineyards by Miguel Chan

Doran Vineyards with an average score of 91 Points, as at March 2016, makes them an outstanding South African winery showing depth and complexity in their wines, with the potential to be exceptionally food friendly, they are located in the Voor Paardeberg & Swartland area, within the Cape Coastal Region.

Their future releases are certainly to be watch, as they are amongst the producers at the forefront of development in the area.

A partnership between Andre Badenhorst and Edwin Doran, formed in 2010 with current winemaker being Martin Lamprecht (Since 2012)

Tasting their Swartland Chenin Blanc Barrel Fermented 2013 and their Voor Paardeberg Shiraz 2013 this week, the two wines are reflective of the climate and representative of the style often encountered in this much talk about area of the Cape.

Both the Chenin Blanc and Shiraz are on the fuller side of ripeness spectrum, not shy on fruits with subtle oak influence and they are clean.

It is clear the style are driven by textures rather than linearity and moderate acidity is the norm, hence they are wines drinking well now, and may benefit from short term cellaring of around five years from now (2016 - 2021), preferably not more.

For further details on my tasting notes and impressions, I invite you to click on the link below.

Doran Vineyards Swartland Chenin Blanc Barrel Fermented 2013 – 91 Points



Doran Vineyards Voor Paardeberg Shiraz 2013  - 91 Points



Thursday, March 24, 2016

Boschendal Sommeliers Selection Chenin Blanc 2015 90 Points


New addition to Boschendal, Sommeliers Selection according to the marketing fact sheet is the collaboration between the winery and South African Sommelier’s Association and is aimed exclusively for on consumption, a bright and innovative move will see the wines exclusively available from the farm and selected restaurant wine lists in South Africa and around the world, i.e not for retail listings.

A crisp and racy Chenin Blanc with ripe notes of Granny Smith apples, lemon, grapefruit and touch of honey, texturally rich, full bodied with high alcohol of 14% abv, fruit follows through with layered tropical note, good typicity, long length.


Now until 2021

Boschendal Sommeliers Selection Pinotage 2014 85 Points


New addition to Boschendal, Sommeliers Selection according to the marketing fact sheet is the collaboration between the winery and South African Sommelier’s Association and is aimed exclusively for on consumption, a bright and innovative move will see the wines exclusively available from the farm and selected restaurant wine lists in South Africa and around the world, i.e not for retail listings.

Unmistakably Pinotage with tell tale rustic notes, very ripe dark plums, black fruits, of wet earth, spicy old oak influence, somewhat compromising the fruit definition, jammy, full bodied and rich with high alcohol of 14%, good effort.


Now until 2019

Ken Forrester Vineyards Petit Semi Sweet Chenin Blanc 2013 80 points


Semi sweet style is growing in popularity and are assisting what were initially non wine drinkers into their first forays with wines, this delicately juicy example from Chenin Blanc is fresh, with ripe notes of pears, lemon and red apples with touch of honey.


Perfect iced cold, with or without ice and also with spicy Asian food.