Welcome to the Western Cape Wineries - a kiwi's opinion blog

I originally set up this blog to help foreigners have an enjoyable experience when visiting the western cape wineries in South Africa.

I realised that it is very difficult for a tourist to choose where to go and which wineries to visit, when you have 600+ wine producers to choose from.

When I first moved to SA December 2010, my palate struggled to adjust to SA wine, b
ut after living here for a while and after visiting over 100+ wine estates, I have found many wines which I really like and can highly recommend.

Admittingly, when you come from another country it is hard not to compare the wine in SA to what you are used to back home. However, once you realise they are not the same (they have their own characteristics due to the different soil, climate etc) and appreciate their wines for being SA wines, it will improve your opinion and experience of the wines immediately.

If you are staying in SA for a while, don't dispair, your palate will change, and you will soon find yourself liking SA wine over your home countries wine!!

I hope my blog will help wine lovers have an enjoyable wine experience while in SA.

Please note: I am not a wine connoisseur. The comments I write about the wine is mostly for my own benefit of having them on record.



Monday, 5 August 2013

Zevenwacht - second visit

Beautiful estate, has a restaurant, tasting room is not that cosy but it is spacious (ideal for big groups) and they have good wine.



The place is very nice, they have a big property with a lovely restaurant and tasting room. The tasting room was renovated a few years ago and now they have a tasting room with plenty of space to sit.
 



Today I decided to visit Zevenwacht again as it has been a few years since I was last there. On my last visit they were renovating the tasting room so we had the wine tasting in a back room. The tasting I had there last time was pleasant and I enjoyed the cheese platter.


This time I was there to taste the wine and see what the tasting room looked like now that it was renovated.

As you walk in the door you go through a souvenir store which I guess is aimed at the tourists but as a local it feels a bit weird. The tasting room is relatively big, and will be a good option for if you are a big group. It doesn't have a very nice decor (I especially don't like the tables and chairs) but that was fine as the wine and service I received was outstanding.



The person who served me at Zevenwacht was really lovely and very informative. Her name is Michelle, she has been working as a winemaker for another wine estate which sadly closed down so currently she is working in the tasting room at Zevenwacht, therefore if you get her for a tasting it is really informative which is awesome. Michelle has only been there for 3 months and yet she already has the wine down pat. It was very impressive.


We started the tasting from the top until our time ran out. The only wines I didn't try was the 7evens range.


I recommend doing a wine tasting here as the wine is worth the visit. As mentioned it is a beautiful wine estate, they have a restaurant and the property is so big you can enjoy a nice walk while here.

Tasting notes:
Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (R58 a bottle) had very fresh acidic flavours. It has tones of lime and lemon zest coming through. It has a bite/is a little sour.

Chenin Blanc 2012 (R63 a bottle) is 70% barrel matured for 6 months and 30% was in stainless steel tanks. This wine was fruity on the nose, with hints of honey and nuts. This wine was fruity and pleasant. I liked it.

Chardonnay 2012 (R66 a bottle) is 100% barrel fermented for 6 months in french oak in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. It was very pleasant, lightly wooded chardonnay. It had fresh, citrus flavours. Nice tones of granny smith apples and pear flavours coming through. I liked it.

Tin Mine White 2012 (R63 a bottle) was fresh, acidic, and had citrus tones. It was fresh and light. It was ok.

360 degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (R95 a bottle) is from a single vineyard block and is 10% oak matured. The smell was delicious!! It had tones of honey, pear, nuts and cut grass. It had green, asparagus, capsicum flavours on the palate. Beautifully balanced!! Great flavour and not so acidic. I liked it!!

Gewurztraminer 2012 (R120 a bottle) is a 5 star wine, only 600 bottles were produced. Most of it was in staineless steel tanks and 10% in barrels. It was dry yet had gorgeous turkish delight aromas!! Smooth on the palate, round mouth, with a fresh cut finish. I liked this wine.

Tin Mine Red 2011 (R63 a bottle) was in french oak barrels for 12 months. It had an earthy ripe berry smell, was a little dry, had nice dark berry flavours, was light and ok.

The Tin Mine wine was named after the Tin Mine that was on the estate in 1915. Apparently there are some remains from this Tin Mine still on the estate.

Merlot 2010 (R68 a bottle) spent 15 months in french oak. It had hints of cherry and mushroom on the nose. Was smooth on the palate. Had slight green capsicum flavour. A little dry. Fruity, with very pleasant yet strong characters.

Primitivo 2011 (R95 a bottle) was light, pleasant, a little spicy, had fruity/berry tastes, unique and interesting. It was nice but I am undecided if I liked it.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (R70 a bottle) was in french oak for 15 months. I liked the nose. It had fruity/berry aromas with fresh grass cuttings. It was soft and rather light for a cabernet. I liked it.

Syrah 2009 (R76 a bottle) spent 15 months in french oak. It had dark berry/fruity aromas with hints of pepper. It was smooth on the palate, had nice cedar and berry flavours coming through. It was very pleasant and approachable.

Rhone Style Blend 2010 (R162 a bottle) is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mouvedre and spent 18 months in french oak in 1st and 2nd fill barrels. It had nice cherry, blackcurrent and cedar aroma. It was dry yet light on the palate. I liked the nose and palate but it had a dry finish. Recommend aging or decanter. It has great aging potential.

Bordeaux Style Blend 2009 (R162 a bottle) was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and spent 18 months in barrels. It has earthy, berry and spicy aromas. It had a spicy, berry, cherry taste. It had a little dry aftertaste. It was heavy, has good wine and was balanced. Good aging potential. It was nice.


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