Wines of South Africa Toronto tasting, May 27/13

13. The Date and Time: Monday May 27, 2013   11AM to 5 PM

The Event: Wines of South Africa tasting

The Venue: Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club

The Target Audience: wine trade.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available or obtainable by private order (see below)

The Quote/Background: the media had an opportunity to taste some exclusive wines at the LCBO Summerhill location (just around the corner). This was followed by a luncheon with the South African Consul General Ms. Tselane Mokuena, who is scheduled to leave Toronto after four years, to return home. She spoke on present day winery conditions and some aspects of the political scene.

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. The exclusive wine tasting rankings from the morning are folded into the notes below.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Oldenberg Chenin Blanc 2012, $25  PO  WineMoves

-Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2012, +328559  $14.95

-Sterhuis Chardonnay 2011, +285213  Nov 23 Vintages  $24.20

-Cloof Single Vineyard Pinotage 2010, +315895 Vintages July 6 $16.95

-Slowine Shiraz 2010, +96503 Vintages July 6 $13.95

-Oldenberg Syrah 2010  $33 PO  WineMoves

-DeTrafford Syrah 393 2010 $70  PO   Gradwell

-Ridgeback Journey 2006 [bord blend], $26 Con   Bokke

-Sijnn White 2011 [cb/viognier]  PO   $29.80  Gradwell

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Colmant Brut Reserve NV    PO   $38.05   Gradwell

-Spice Route Chenin Blanc 2011, +174623, $16.95

-Strandveld First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2011  $16.95  PO   Wine Guru

-Clos Malverne Le Café Pinotage 2011, +315895  July 6 Vintages

-Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, +328567, $15.95

-Cathedral Cellar Triptych 2008, +53124 $16.95

-Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2012, +595280, $14.95

-Avondale Samsara Syrah 2006, +295550 $31.95

-The Goatfather 2011   Vintages

-Villiera Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $15.95  Con  Abcon

-Ridgeback Chenin Blanc 2012  $20 Con Bokke

-Ridgeback Sauvignon Blanc 2012  $18 Con Bokke

-Ridgeback Cabernet Franc 2008  $24 Con Bokke

-Hermanuspietersfontein Nr. 3 Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $17.15 PO Gradwell

-Sumaridge Chardonnay 2010  PO  $29.50 Gradwell

-Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2010  PO  $35.05 Gradwell

-Van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay 2011, $12.15 LCBO

-Bon Courage Sauvignon Blanc 2011  Con $15 Lamprecht Int

-Rooiberg Sauvignon Blanc 2012   Con  $12  Lamprecht Int.

-Two Oceans Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Brut 2012, $12.95 LCBO

-Oldenberg Syrah 2009 PO $36.96 WineMoves

-Aaldering Cab Sauv/Merlot 2010 PO $30 WineMoves

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011, Aug Vintages

-Lammershoek LAM Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2011  $20 Con Bokke

-Oldenberg Chardonnay 2012   $25  PO WineMoves

-Avondale Cyclus 2009 and 2010 [two wines] Vintages $29.95

-Lammershoek LAM Rose 2011  $20 Con Bokke

-The Grinder Pinotage 2012   Aug Vintages $13.95

-Oldenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2010   PO  $33   WineMoves

-Fairview Caldera 2008, +301333  $22.95

-Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2009, +561142 $15.95

-Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2010, +96511  $19.95

-Reyneke Syrah 2010, +96503, $13.95 Vintages July 6

 

The Food: from the TLTC menu. Some had the chicken, others had the duck leg confit, or the lobster and crab taco. Wines from the morning tasting accompanied the food.

The Contact Person: keenan@propellerpr.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):89

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com