CHARDONNAY
87 - Winery of Good Hope 2010 Unoaked
Chardonnay (Western Cape). Fresh and inviting with assertive notes of pineapple and sweet citrus backed by fleshy pear and melon accents on the nose and mouth. The palate offers zippy acidity with a clean lift to the finish. Drink now. World Premiere Wines
LLC. —L.B.
abv: 12.5% Price: $12
PINOTAGE
88 - Winery of Good Hope 2010 Bush Vine Pinotage (Stellenbosch)
An opaque garnet color in the glass, this is a deep and brooding Pinotage that shows great intensity and concentration. Heady black fruit, espresso grinds, woody spice and black tea all abound on the nose and mouth, and a glimmer of peppery game lingers on the end. Big and firm with strong tannins and a tight finish. World Premiere Wines
LLC. Best Buy. —L.B.
abv: 14% Price: $13
SHIRAZ
86 - Winery of Good Hope 2010 Mountainside
Shiraz (Stellenbosch). Here’s a straightforward but enjoyable Shiraz with notes of dark plum, cherry and strawberry on the nose and mouth. There’s a touch of greenness on the palate augmented by firm, young tannins, but it all works out and fades smoothly on the finish. World Premiere Wines LLC. —L.B.
abv: 14.5% Price: $14
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch WO 2008
Le Sommelier Fou
Sa robe est jaune et assez limpide. Les larmes sont épaisses et onctueuses. Le nez est alcooleux, avec des touches de pêche et de fleurs blanches. La bouche n’est pas aussi chaleureuse que ne le laissait entrevoir les arômes. Un brin épicé, cependant. Un peu d’ananas, un peu de pêche. Bon vin d’apéro ou à servir avec du poulet au citron et à la moutarde. Boire maintenant.
Yellow cristalline robe. Thick tears on the glass. Alcohol on the nose, with peaches and white flowers. Not as hot as the aromas had announced it, yet it’s a little spicy. A little pineapple, a little peach. Good sipper that could also be served with lemon mustard chicken. Drink it now. 04/11
Platter Guide 2011: The Winery of Good Hope Range
Unoaked Chardonnay *** Perky sample 10 delivers charm & style. Lees adds richness to stone fruit, citrus flavours, minerally finish.
Pinot Noir Reserve **** Fragrant 09 has ‘Reserve’ in name unlike 07 ( *** ½). Exhibits Elgin purity, Stbosch vyds contribute earthiness & grip to red cherry flavours. Oak adds dimension with out obscuring bright fruit.
Bush Vine Pinotage √ *** ½ 09 dense, concentrated from old bushvines. No oak to mask juicy, succulent red/black fruit. Delicious savoury, spicy finish. These reds mostly pvsly with straight varietal name.
Mountainside Shiraz √ *** ½ Spicy tannins underpin 09‘s abundant dark fruits; half oaked, half ex tank allowing fresh berry fruit to shine through.
The Beautiful Game Shiraz *** ½ Dark plum succulence on 08, tasted last yr; 86% shiraz, 3 Rhône varieties adding flair. WO Coastal.
Oceanside Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot √ **** Bags more succulent fruit in v lightly oaked 09 blend than in 08 (²); lovely spicy grip of grape tannins structures expansive juiciness.
Granite Ridge Reserve √ **** Elegant 08 shiraz-led blend with carignan, grenache, mourv; wonderful aromatic complexity: fynbos/wild herbs; harmonious red fruit, roasted spice, framed by oak. First since charm ing 06 (***).
Bush Vine Chenin Blanc √ *** ½ Preview 10 over-delivers on quality. Intense pear, yellow apple flavours, with freshness, length & concentration.
Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay-Viognier *** ½ Rich, dry 08 oaked blend tasted last ed; pleasingly drinkable & restrained. Swartland WO. — IM
***** |
Superlative. A Cape classic |
****½ |
Outstanding |
**** |
Excellent |
***½ |
Very good/promising |
*** |
Characterful, appealing |
**½ |
Good everyday drinking |
** |
Pleasant drinking |
*½ |
Casual quaffing |
* |
Plain and simple |
½ |
Very ordinary |
No Star |
Somewhat less than ordinary |
2011 Harvest helper Jesper from Denmark
Pinot Noir 2009 - A Benchmark Cape Vintage
Our ‘Best Pinot in South Africa’ newsletter last year had a revolutionary response and we sold out the entire country's allocation of the Winery of Good Hope Pinot Noir Reserve in just a few days. I drank a bottle over a few days last week and I maintain its brilliance, being seduced by the elegance that only pinot noir can display. It’s not only one of the best value pinots, but one of the best pinots in South Africa today. The expression of bright pinot-fruit and fragrance is almost unparalleled, with many SA pinots being spoilt by new oak and over handling.
The 2009 Cape vintage has not been given sufficient praise and the fickle pinot noir grape is able to display this greatness more so than any other variety. Where handled correctly, the 2009 pinots have wonderful freshness, red fruits and elegance. Along with the truly magnificent Crystallums and 2010 WOGH, these are our picks of the 2009s which should be snapped up by all pinot lovers.
Reserve 2010, The Winery of Good Hope - R 95
We offer the 2010 at the same price as 2009 and expect the demand to be just as high. The WOGHR 2010 is of course rather young, but continues on the quality and purity theme of 2009. Perhaps not quite as delicate, it shows more punchy tannins and richness, but with time the fragrance will develop. Expect it to drink well from late 2011 through to 2016.
Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2009 - R 280
This is the best Hamilton Russell I have ever tasted. The vintage shines through with freshness and opulent fruit that shimmers over a burning mineral backbone. Ripe, succulent fruit plays the lead role, but there is serious support from well judged spicy oak. Drink from 2013 to 2018.
Chamonix Reserve 2009 - R 220
Chamonix is always more fruit-driven in style compared to the cooler sea-influenced pinots. Strawberry and cherry notes intertwine a herb and spice melody. Very impressive complexity and length, especially for those seeking the bolder style. Drink from 2012 to 2016.
Freedom 2009, Radford Dale - R 228
After the excellent 2008, the 2009 is even better and once again shows more Burgundian styling, which is even finer in 2009. It has a similar expression to the Winery of Good Hope, but its more elegant, charming and backward in style. For us, Elgin’s finest pinot and one of the best in SA. Drink this from late 2011 through 2018.
Vinous Regards
Roland and the Wine Cellar team
Angela Lloyd
www.grape.co.za 31 Jan 2011
Rising stars
I’ve written positively about Shannon (the Downes’ Elgin grapes vinified by Gordon and Nadia Newton Johnson), Newton Johnson itself, Reyneke, Chris Williams’ The Foundry and The Winery of Good Hope before; the last is a good deal larger than the others but lacks nothing in its focus for that; the well-defined ranges, from both style and price points of view, confirm confidence in its future. It’s invidious to single out wines from any of the above; they are all good or excellent and consistent.
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2010, a great value Chenin which fruit comes from old bush vines in the Helderberg region. It is vinified under the watchful eye of Alex Dale and Edouard Labeye. No oaking, but it enjoys six months' lees contact for complexity. A steal at the price. Their Pinot Noir 2009 is one of the best bargains on our shelves… it is filled with Pinot expression, deep fruitiness and silky tannins.
Thursday 12 August 2010
Good day Wine Lover
I am going out on a limb today; these three new releases are the best young SA pinot noirs that I have ever tasted. Combine the brilliant vintage of 2009 with two pinot-freaks, Peter-Allan Finlayson and Alex Dale, and discover the Crystallum Peter Max and Cuvée Cinéma as well as the Winery of Good Hope Pinot Noir Reserve 2009s. Great pinot noir derives its pleasure from delicate, fragrant and fresh fruit combined with an elusive minerality and a savoury finish. Complexity of forest floor and farmyard aromas should build with age. These pinot noirs are all that and more.
2009 was not only a magnificent white wine vintage across the Cape; generally cool temperatures, especially at night, gave a long ripening season producing reds with good natural acidity, bright fruit and moderate alcohols. First samplings of the 2009 vintage lead us to believe it could become the benchmark Cape vintage.
The first release Crystallum's were brilliant (even from the mediocre 2008 vintage) and sold out quickly. They topped WINE magazine's pinot noir taste-off in May this year with 5 and 4.5 stars between them. But the 2009s are even better, showing the brightness of the vintage with amazingly confident red fruits and a mineral core that dances toward a savoury finish. Certainly closer to the Cote d'Or than Central Otago.
What makes these and the Winery of Good Hope so good? Time spent in Burgundy by the proprietors, understanding the vineyard, part whole-bunch fermentation and minimalistic winemaking all contribute to elegant and sophisticated wines.
There are only 50 cases of the Winery of Good Hope available for the entire country and the total production of the two Crystallums is a mere 360 cases.
THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE
Pinot Noir Reserve 2009
10 years of pinot noir trials by Burgundy-nut Alex Dale and his partners at the Winery of Good Hope have paid off. The brightness and purity of fruit here is unbelievable! Lifted, fragrant and vivacious strawberry-daiquiri notes, hints of dried herbs and earth all come to the fore. It is fresh, zingy and succulent for drinking over summer, but with sufficient depth for a few years cellaring. You will battle to find a better value pinot noir anywhere in the world. Watch out for the 2009 Radford Dale Freedom Pinot Noir out later this year that is more serious in stature and also ticks all the boxes. See website
CRYSTALLUM
Peter Max Pinot Noir 2009
Cuvée Cinéma Pinot Noir 2009
Crystallum is based in the Crystal Kloof half way between Stanford and Hermanus but most of the grapes are sourced from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde valley. Both these beauties exude primary, pure and fragrant fruit making them delicious right now. The freshness and dry, yet silky, tannins will however provide a platform for further savoury complexity and softness to build with age. The Peter Max holds 50% Elgin fruit sourced from top growers and is only slightly less refined, but no less as intense and enjoyable as the Cuvée Cinéma. Drinking them over a weekend recently, each sip blew me away with their striking depth, precision and length. Absolute must-haves for all pinot-philes.
Quelle scandale! French producers convicted of creating fake pinot noir. Read more...
By Anthony Gismondi, Vancouver Sun, March 5, 2010
The sun ripens The Winery of Good Hope Cabernet
www.gismondionwine.com
Anthony Gismondi
Reviewed – December 21st, 2009
The Winery of Good Hope Pinot Noir 2008
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
Surprising quality here in what is a mix of Stellenbosch fruit, richer denser and Elgin fruit cooler more finesse with some minerality. There is lot going on for the price including French oak but hardly any new barrels. It’s quit=e fragrant and clean on the nose with an earthy farmyard note and some black cherry. Bravo. Look out Cono Sur.
Prices: AB $17.00 private order; BC $19.00 specialty listing
UPC: 00854954000209
Score: 88/100
PLATTER GUIDE 2010
Model and part-time winemaker
3 Stars Chardonnay ☺: Un-oaked 09 delights with notes of nougat & Golden Delicious apple balanced by zesty acidity.
3½ Stars Pinot Noir : Expensive cherry fruit & classic aromatic earthiness on 08; touch rusticity in mineral finish. Mostly older oak. Elgin, Stellenbosch vines.
3½ Stars Shiraz √: Fresh Rhône-style 08, prosciutto, scrub aromas & nicely firm acid, grippy tannin supporting ripe dark berry fruit.
3½ Stars The Beautiful Game Shiraz [new] √ : Enveloping dark plum succulence of 08 makes friendly, popular & confident style; 86% shiraz, 3 Rhône varieties adding flair. WO Coastal.
3½ Stars Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot √ : Unwooded 08 expressive, freshy berry fruit; spicy, grippy tannins & well-measured acidity give structure & seriousness.
3½ Stars Chenin Blanc √ : Peach & pear 09, full of flavour & verve, fruitiness softens variety’s fresh grapefruit acidity. Perfect versatile, everyday wine.
3½ Stars Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay-Viognier √ : Rich, dry 08 oaked blend; plenty stone fruit flavour in pleasingly drinkable style, restrained mineral aftertaste. Swartland WO.
***** |
Superlative. A Cape classic |
****½ |
Outstanding |
**** |
Excellent |
***½ |
Very good/promising |
*** |
Characterful, appealing |
**½ |
Good everyday drinking |
** |
Pleasant drinking |
*½ |
Casual quaffing |
* |
Plain and simple |
½ |
Very ordinary |
No Star |
Somewhat less than ordinary |
Food and drink
The best of the best for under $25
By Anthony Gismondi, Pique News Magazine, Whistler, Canada, 2009-10-14
This summer I took part in the Wine Access 3rd Annual International Value Wine Awards in Calgary. Thirty talented wine tasters, including many of Canada's best palates, gathered for the week-long competition that has one mandate: find the best wines sold somewhere in Canada for less than $25.
The competition has two parts - first, there's a preliminary round involving three days of judging that mixes the Wine Access national tasting panel and a number of Calgary retail wine buyers. As head judge, it's my task to somehow get all these strong-willed tasters to agree on what they really like and pass those wines onto a final round of tasting that involves a national panel of judges.
Wine tasters can be funny - as in peculiar - types. Each comes with his or her own set of experiences. You need only spend a day inside the tasting room to understand all the intricacies and nuances of tasting blind, interpreting quality and finally coming to some sort of agreement with your fellow panel members. It's hard work and not near as glamorous as it sounds.
Who would have dreamt that searching for the best wines sold in Canada under $25 would turn out to be the perfect antidote to the recession?
For most wine buyers today there is only one issue: price. Factors such as quality, selection, store location and customer service are out the window. Now I would never suggest forsaking quality or customer service but if cheap is in, well, when in Rome...
In the end, the seven-day extravaganza culminated in some fascinating results and as mentioned, currently value is chic.
So this month I've compiled a partial list of winners that you should be able to find in Whistler, although in some cases you may have to look in Squamish or West Vancouver for the best selection. It's a great list and every pick is worth trying. After that it's up to you to decide which to stock up on for the fall.
For complete results of the International Value Wine Awards, log onto www.wineaccess.ca.
Category Champions
Cabernet Sauvignon: Rodney Strong 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, California, United States $23 - An elegant and harmonious red with mocha, cedar, black fruit flavours. Drink with steak, or hold.
Chardonnay Unoaked: Banrock Station 2007 Unwooded Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia $11 - Look for bright tropical fruit and mineral notes mixed with crisp acidity. Serve with a warm chicken or seafood salad.
Chenin Blanc: The Winery of Good Hope 2008 Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa $14 - Grassy, honeysuckle, lime and peach flavours with a dash of grapefruit. Try with linguine and clams.
Gewürztraminer: Thornhaven Estates 2008 Gewürztraminer, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada $18 - Ripe, round style with grapefruit, lychee, baked pear, cooked peach and spicy flavours. Great with Indian food.
Pinot Gris/Grigio: Montalto 2008 Pinot Grigio, Sicily, Italy $10 - The flavours are a delicious mix of peach, honey, apple, guava and orange, all with a touch of complexity from the lees. A versatile white for pizza and appetizers.
Red Blends (France): Maison Chapoutier 2006 Belleruche Rouge Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France $19 - Raspberries and plums with earthy, herbal undercurrents and a peppery finish. Try with mushroom-inspired dishes.
Red Blends (New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain): Boekenhoutskloof 2008 The Wolftrap, Western Cape, South Africa $15 - Attractive spice aromas preview ripe shiraz with a touch of savoury "garrigue" notes. Pasta, anyone?
Red Blends (South America): Emiliana 2006 Coyam, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile $25 - Blueberry, red currAnts and smoky mineral mixed with black fruits, toasty cedar notes and chocolate. Cellar and hold for five years.
Red Single Variety: Castillo de Monseran 2006 Garnacha, Cariñena, Spain $11 - A mix of floral and fruity notes with plummy raspberry fruit flavours and a dusting of spice. A great hamburger red.
Riesling: Villa Maria 2008 Private Bin Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand $17 - Aromas of peach, apple and limes mixed with citrus slate and crunchy fruit. Delicious with Thai food.
Rosé: Boutinot 2008 Chat-en-Oeuf Rosé, Languedoc, France $14 - Elegant, fresh and delicate pink with a pleasant and dry finish. Classy little rose for the price.
Sangiovese: Frescobaldi 2006 Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy $25 - Creamy textures mixed with plum and cherry fruit along with spice and vanilla.
Sauvignon Blanc: Nautilus 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand $27 - Gooseberry and passion fruit mark this crisp, dry white that is made for mussels or clams.
Shiraz/Syrah: Hungerford Hill 2007 Fishcage Shiraz Viognier, South Eastern Australia $12 - Supple, with spicy, black cherry, dark plums and liquorice flavours all balanced by the acidity. Lamb shanks are the ticket here.
Sparkling: Gloria Ferrer N/V Sonoma Brut, Carneros, Sonoma Country, California, United States $22 - Full flavoured, nutty, spicy, honey, baked apple, pear and brioche flavours. Well-balanced.
White Blends, Aromatic: Boutari 2008 Moschofilero Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece $15 - The entry is light and refreshing, with hints of lime, lemongrass, jasmine and mineral flavours. Great sushi wine.
White Blends, Others: St. Hallett 2007 Poacher's Blend Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc, Barossa Valley, South Australia $11 - Bright tropical fruit with zesty herbal notes and bright acidity make this a wonderful food wine. Seafood or fresh chèvre would be fine choices.
White Single, Varietals: Michel Torino 2008 Cuma Organic Torrontés Calchaqui Valley, Salta, Argentina $14 - Roses, jasmine and nectarine skins assault the senses, as does the orange, green peach and oily fruit.
Viognier: Cono Sur 2008 Viognier, Colchagua Valley, Chile $11 - Open nose of apricots, limes and peaches with similar juicy tropical fruits notes. Killer value and a wonderful wine with roast chicken or turkey.
Zinfandel: Bonterra Vineyards 2007 Zinfandel, Mendocino County, California, United States $15 - Look for sweet jammy fruit with balancing acidity and warm vanilla oak notes in the finish. Grilled meat off the barbecue works with this organic wine.
Anthony Gismondi is a globetrotting wine writer who makes his home in West Vancouver, British Columbia. For more of his thoughts on wine log onto www.gismondionwine.com.
October 2009 Issue
88 Winery of Good Hope 2008 Chardonnay (Western Cape); $11.
This delicate Chardonnay offers aromas of aromatic, fresh flowers, citrus and minerals and flavors
of fresh fruit, spice and minerals. Easygoing, refreshing and classic.
Imported by Robert Kacher Imports. Best Buy. —S.K.
Winery of Good Hope 2007 Pinotage
(Stellenbosch); $11.
Smoky, earthy aromas lead on this rustic but friendly red. On the palate, red berry, plum and a touch of banana are soft and subtle. Acid and tannin announce the variety, but the style is gentle. A great starter Pinotage or one to drink on its own.
Imported by Robert Kacher Imports. —S.K.
Winery of Good Hope 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot (Stellenbosch); $11.
This Cabernet/Merlot blend offers aromas of crushed herbs, dark berries and a touch of barnyard rusticity. On the palate are flavors of red cherries, pepper and cedary smoke.
A more angular style red with ample spice. Pair with grilled meats, tomato dishes.
Imported by Robert Kacher Imports. —S.K.
2008 The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc
88 Points
Fresh and smooth and made in a dry style; perfect for by-the-glass programs.
The Tasting Panel Magazine, USA 07/09
WineDiva.ca & WineScores.ca Top 100 of 2009
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa, 2008
Readers rated this wine:
A fresh, easy drinking version of the South African Chenin Blancs I am such a fan of.
Peaches and grapefruit, honeysuckle and tangerine peel aromas. Crisp and a bit creamy on the palate with a hit of sweet spice and a suggestion of crème brulee...
Wine Diva reviewed - May 5th, 2009
BC - $13.99
BC CSPC Code -792143
UPC Code -00854954000216
Agency: LIBERTY MERCHANT COMPANY INC.
Daily Wine Picks Under $15
Mar 18, 2009 THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2008 (87 points, $12)
A nice bracing wine, with a mix of lemon verbena, yellow apple and floral notes that stay bright through the racy finish. Drink now. 11,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth
WineDiva.ca & WineScores.ca
Bi-weekly newsletter
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa, 2008
Readers rated this wine:
A fresh, easy drinking version of the South African Chenin Blancs I am such a fan of.
Peaches and grapefruit, honeysuckle and tangerine peel aromas. Crisp and a bit creamy on the palate with a hit of sweet spice and a suggestion of creme brulee...
Wine Diva reviewed - May 5th, 2009
BC - $13.99
BC CSPC Code -792143
UPC Code -00854954000216
Agency: LIBERTY MERCHANT COMPANY INC.
North Shore News
19 April 2009
S. African wines a tasty bargain; The Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards are always preceded by a lively wine tasting which invariably includes a worthwhile line-up of South African wines, and this year's fling -- widely regarded as the restaurateurs' party of the year -- proved no exception.
Read the article (pdf)
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - March 2009
Top 10 Wines under $10 (pdf)
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - March 2009
Top 10 Wines under $10
(Pdf 454 KB)
Daily Wine Picks Under $15
Mar 18, 2009 THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2008 (87 points, $12)
A nice bracing wine, with a mix of lemon verbena, yellow apple and floral notes that stay bright through the racy finish. Drink now. 11,000 cases made.
- James Molesworth
Buying Guide - White Wines 2008
March 2009
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2008 tops the category. 88 Points.
Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide (pdf)
THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE quotes from the 2009 PLATTER GUIDE:
“There’s always something happening at this up-and-at-’em Helderberg winery.”
“Stylish & strikingly individual.”
“More Old World styling than New…”
“Exotic, individual & compelling”
RATINGS 2009 PLATTER GUIDE: The Winery of Good Hope range
*** Pinot Noir 2007
Classic styling, farmyard notes, juicy berries, light texture. For drinking rather than keeping. WO W Cape.
***½ Pinotage 2007 √
An individual take on the varietal. Savoury spice, meaty nuances to dark fruit, dry tannins geared for food. More Old World styling than New.
***½ Shiraz 2007 √
Fruit-focused & bargain-priced, generously constructed; curvaceous & smooth, layers of interest supplied by smoky oak, a wild scrub nuance. Admirable.
*** Granite Ridge Reserve 2006
Shiraz, cab, merlot blend. Smooth-textured charmer: black pepper, smoked beef nuances to plummy fruit, aromatic lift from dash of viognier.
*** Chardonnay 2007
Unoaked chardonnay with character. Deepened peach & tropical tones, fresh-fruity mouthfeel.
***½ Chenin Blanc 2008 √
Melon & tropical fruit, good palate weight, trade mark zesty fresh ness. Appetising & eminently food-friendly.
***½ Chardonnay-Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2007 √
Changing proportion in 07, chardonnay’s lead strengthens nutty oak & peach aspects, giving fuller flavours, more enjoyment. Swartland WO.
| ***** | Superlative. A Cape classic |
| ****½ | Outstanding |
| **** | Excellent |
| ***½ | Very good/promising |
| *** | Characterful, appealing |
| **½ | Good everyday drinking |
| ** | Pleasant drinking |
| *½ | Casual quaffing |
| * | Plain and simple |
| ½ | Very ordinary |
| No Star | Somewhat less than ordinary |
| √ | Especially good value |
Old Spice and some wine
24.com 12:04, Wednesday, 18 Jun, 2008
To the wine
Last night we tasted Viognier and Shiraz – and it was presented by the witty Mia Mortensson (aka super sommelier) from The Winery of Good Hope. Basically, a motley crew of nationalities, backgrounds in the industry, that collects grapes from specific sites to make the wines they want to make. Almost like location scouts for movies just more vino driven!
The Winery of Good Hope Shiraz 2007 - R49
Drinkability is key with their wines says Mia Martensson from The Winery of Good Hope. They want you to feel like you can have the whole bottle and this is very much the case with this Shiraz. Highly drinkable and balanced. So when you’re having a party and think oh crap what wine should I buy, go for this one. Chances are most of your guests would enjoy it.
88 Best Buy
Winery of Good Hope
2007 Chenin Blanc,
Stellenbosch $10
USA, June 2008
WINE TOURISM NEWS
RSA, November 2007
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2007
“This must be one of the freshest Chenins available, showing great natural minerality and balanced acidity. A Chenin big on eye appeal; green-flecked and brilliant. With a little air the gentle yet persuasive honey-suckle and blossom aromas open but the rich, concentrated fruit flavours require no such wait. Well-balanced with a clean, lingering finish”.
Who is the greatest gardener in the World?
South Africa enjoying the best of both worlds
Tim Pawsey, Special To North Shore News
Published: Sunday, November 04, 2007
You could say South Africa has the best of both worlds. With its feet firmly in Europe, the country stands to benefit from New World influences, while at the same time retaining its Old World pedigree with strong connections to Europe. A traditional producer with a decidedly contemporary outlook, the Cape has plenty to offer.
With its long, warm growing season and, especially closer to the coast, cooling ocean breezes that give good acidity, the region has an enviable reputation for ripening fruit.
This month the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch shines a spotlight on South Africa, and a recent preview of some of the feature wines served as a timely reminder that there's no shortage of worthwhile drops, often with an interesting twist. Plus, almost all of our picks this week come in at under $20, some considerably less.
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2006. Very good, juicy, vibrantly fruity Chenin; zesty, bright, crisp and clean with lingering zest and food friendly acidity ($13.99).
John Platter Wine Guide, 2008 Edition
3* The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc - Exceptionally drinkable and well priced. Crammed with palate-awakening crunchy pear freshness, 2007 is quaffability personified.
4½* The Winery of Good Hope Pinot Noir 2006 - Underbrush & red berry flavours, hints of violets, captured in a fine-honed structure.
3½* The Winery of Good Hope Pinotage - strikingly individual 2006 is dark-fruited & savoury, cloves & black pepper spiced, with variety’s trademark juicy palate. Tannins now well melded.
3* The Winery of Good Hope Granite Ridge Reserve 2006 - is a smooth textured charmer: black pepper, smoked beef nuances to plumy fruit, aromatic lift from dash Viognier
3* The Winery of Good Hope Chardonnay 2006 - Unoaked chard with character. Has deepened peach & tropical tones, the same fresh-fruity mouthfeel.
3½* The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay-Viognier - Original blend, aromatic 2006 focuses on juicy drinkability, showing the citrus & peach, buttered toast perfume, flavours of its admirably compatible partners.
4* Stellenboch Radford Dale Merlot 2005: schönes Rubin, etwas Cassiskonfitüre, eleganter, aber auch etwas schlanker Wein mit guter Tanninstruktur
4* Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Vinum 2005: dichtes Rot, ledrig-pflaumige Aromen, feste Tanninstruktur und gute aromatische Fülle, eleganter Wein
4* Stellenbosch Good Hope Pinotage 2006: dichtes Rubinrot, pfeffrige Kirschfrucht, saftig, fruchtig, etwas wenig Tiefe und Länge
5* Stellenbosch Radford Dale Gravity 2004: dichtes Rubin, würzige, tiefe Fruchtaromen, fest strukturierter Wein mit guter Länge, braucht noch Zeit
4* Stellenbosch Radford Dale Gravity 2005: dichtes Rot, noch verhaltene Nase, feste, große Struktur, braucht noch Zeit, Tannine noch eine Spur bitter
4* Stellenbosch Radford Dale Shiraz - Viognier 2005: dichtes Rubinrot, tiefe Cassisaromen, gut strukturiert, aber mit zu viel Schärfe, 2. Probe : frisches Rubinrot, klassisches Syrahbukett mit schwarzen Beeren, elegante, feste Struktur, besser als bei der Vorprobe
3* Swartland Black Rock Shiraz - Carignan - Grenache 2006: leuchtendes, frisches Rubin, etwas zu neutral in der Nase und zu wenig Frucht am Gaumen
Dr. Eckhard Supp, Germany, October 2007.
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2007 R35 - 14.5
Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2006 R50 - 15.5
The media information accompanying these two chenins from the dynamic Winery of Good Hope, headquartered in Stellenbosch, claims they are ‘intended to help change the South African wine drinker’s perceptions that this white variety is only for early drinking’ and ‘are crafted for enhanced longevity of three to six years’.
Techniques or factors that co-owner, Alex Dale says contribute to this longevity include careful site selection (to ensure the vines benefit from cooling maritime breezes), limiting yields (to enhance fruit quality), extended lees contact (for structure and flavour), and long maturation times (for complexity and integration).
We found the less expensive of the two very enjoyable with pineapple and cinnamon notes, intense pear and leesy flavours, and a rounded, persistent finish. It certainly has benefited from its four month sojourn on the lees.
The Vinum Africa example, too, has the structure and intensity for cellaring. A small portion of the juice (5%) was fermented and matured for 10 months in mainly new Burgundian oak. Also from old bush vines and a cool Helderberg vineyard, it is intensely long, with complex vanilla, fynbos and mountain side scrub aromas and flavours.
I find it a well integrated and classy drink... Both wines bear an unobtrusive 14% alc. While agreeing they will benefit from bottle aging, perhaps closer to three rather than six years is more realistic a period.
Cathy van Zyl MW,
GRAPE, South Africa, October 2007
Mary-Jane Harris, Woman & Home RSA, August ‘07
CHOOSE THE BEST -Buying Wine On-Line
2006 THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE CHENIN BLANC If you’re not a Chenin Blanc fan, you’ll change your mind when you taste this one made from grapes from old bush vines grown in the Helderberg area. It’s lively and fruity, with the beautiful balance The Winery is known for. Enjoy its pear and current flavours and touch of flintiness...
BEST VALUE TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICAN PINOT NOIRS
- BRUERE GOLD RESERVE 2004
- TRADOUW 2003
- THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE 2005
- ZORGVLIET SILVER MYN 2006
- BWC 2004
- GLEN CARLOU 2005
- WHALEHAVEN 2005
- MURATIE 2005
- GROOTE POST 2006
- CHAMONIX RESERVE 2005
SA WINE MAGAZINE JUNE 2007
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2006
This is a lovely example of well-done South African Chenin Blanc, super-clean and classy... It's full and hearty, with a hint of sweetness beautifully balanced by a slightly bitter bite in the finish. It's stylish and is ideal for all kinds of seafoods... Five-Star stuff and the price is right.
The Georgia Straight, Vancouver, Canada.
June 2007
90 POINTS: The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2006:
“Restrained and stately, this impressive Chenin Blanc is also complex and full of flavor. Though there’s weight and round layers of flavor on the palate, the minerality gives the wine a delicate, ephemeral touch that is truly elegant.” BEST BUY
JULY 2007, THE WINE ENTHUSIAST, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2006 ***
Unashamedly fruit-driven’ has perfectly ripe red berries, juicy structure, soft tannins. Lovely drinkability.
Pinotage 2006 ***
Ripe dark fruit at the core with a savoury shading from oak. Tannins still integrating.
Pinot Noir***x (3 ½ Stars)
Elegant structure, piquant red berries, underbrush, hints of other nuances to come.
Chardonnay 2006 ***
Is that rare creature, unoaked with character: peach/tropical tones, rounded fresh-fruity mouthfeel.
Chenin Blanc 2006***
Shows crunchy apple/pear in a light food friendly format.
JOHN PLATTER SOUTH AFRICAN WINE GUIDE 2007
Granite Ridge Reserve 2005
The Winery of Good Hope
Sydafrika
Rødvin - Syrahh, Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier
Rød farve. Ikke så intens duft af solbær, lakrids, ristet træ. Mellemfyldig til fyldig vin med dejlig frugt og en yderst blød og enorm lækker smag. Smagen er fantastisk imødekommende uden at kappe over, simpelthen fordi balancen er i top. Noget af et superkøb til prisen.
Vinen passer godt til en god bøf.
Forhandler:
“Intense aroma of blackcurrants, liquorice and tasty oak. Mouthfilling on the palate with lovely fruit and a very soft and enormously delicious taste. Fantastically forthcoming on the palate without being over the top, simply because the balance is so impeccable. A bit of a superbargain..."
WWW.VINFORUM.DK –Denmark, February 2007
Score: 88/100. Best Value Red Wine
THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MERLOT 2005 WO Stellenbosch VC:
"The Winery of Good Hope is a stylish, quality-driven range that is part of a larger group project known as 'The Winery'. Led by 'marketer, locomotive and creator' Alex Dale and 'Barossa Valley-based soil scientist, modern viticulturist and winemaker' Ben Radfords, this unpretentious band of passionate wine pros represents the modern face of South Africa. This 60/40 blend shows remarkable complexity and elegance with ripe dark fruit, hints of minerals and cedar notes. Terrific value! My note: Terrific full-bodied wine with dark red fruit notes. A touch tannic so decant one hour." $11.95
Natalie Maclean, Canada, January 2007
The Winery of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2005
WO Stellenbosch $11.95
A very well-priced Cab-Merlot that's full of fruit (dark tree and berry fruit flavours to the fore) with some hints of oak and toast. Not just fruit-forward, it's layered and complex with decent tannic structure and it's a natural for flavoursome red meat dishes.
winecurrent.com, Canada, January 2007
The Winery is known for its excellent Chenin Blancs and this Chenin with its Blackcurrant aromas and flavours of pears and mint is no exception. Although characterised as dry, it’s lively and fruity with rich concentrated flavours and just a hint of sweetness which would cool the palate beautifully when enjoyed with spicy dishes. Best of all, it’s really good value for money.
Mary Jane Harris
Woman & Home, South Africa, June ‘06
The Winery of Good Hope is part of Alex Dale and Ben Radfords The Winery. Their internet address is www.thefunwinery.com. And do these guys have fun? Big time. I recently tasted their The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc.
This versatile grape makes, in the right hands, great wines from the driest of the dry through to late harvested noble rot grapes, Methode Champenoise, and sweet dessert wines. Alex's Chenin is alive with fruit - mainly pear and sweet currants. Nice and savoury, minerally almost, long aftertaste. Great value - in a twist off top, so no lurking "corky" tastes to spoil the pleasure of this one.
Michael Olivier, March 2006
SA wines get the world-class taste
Myrna Robins –Cape Argus : Good Tastes feature, 25th March 2006
“Entrepreneurial partners and innovative plantings characterize operations at The Winery, where clever marketing complements consistent quality across four ranges.”
South African Wine, part 2
Jamie Goode, UK, May 2006
Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2005 Stellenbosch
This is Radford Dale’s more affordable, everyday Chenin, which is fermented in tank with some extended lees contact. Nice honeyed nose with a trace of herby Chenin fruit. Lovely palate is quite rich with some delicious cheesy, herbal fruit. Lots of personality to this fruit-driven wine. Very good+ 87/100
Vinum Chenin 2004 Stellenbosch
With this, Alex is looking for a wine that will age longer, with more minerality and flintiness and less fruit. A small proportion goes into small French oak barrels. There’s lots of personality here: it’s minerally, with notes of straw and herbs. The palate has a lovely savoury, herbal character together with nice minerality and weight. A lovely food wine. Very good+ 89/100
Radford Dale Chardonnay 2003 Stellenbosch
Lovely weight and richness: an expressive, slightly nutty Chardonnay with a toasty edge to it. The oak doesn’t overpower. It’s rich, but not over the top; a nice wine, made with restraint. After alcoholic fermentation this is kept at 4–7 ºC for five or six months to delay malolactic and give the wine a chance to interact with the lees and oak. Malolactic is inhibited with sulfur dioxide after this. Very good+ 88/100
Black Rock 2004 Perderberg, Swartland
The first release of this wine, which comes from the up-coming Perderberg region. It’s mainly Chenin (75%) with some Chardonnay and a touch of Viognier. There’s a nice weight of cheesy, straw-tinged herby fruit. It’s generously textured and has good acidity. A really lovely wine that combines weight with freshness. Very good/excellent 90/100
Radford Dale Shiraz 2003 Stellenbosch
Sweet dark fruits nose with a sweet vanilla and coconut edge, together with some tarriness. The palate shows good concentration of sweet, accessible red fruits. Perhaps just a touch confected but very approachable. After a while there’s a bit of dark chocolatey fruit. It’s tighter and more expressive. Very good/excellent 90/100
Radford Dale Gravity 2004 Stellenbosch
A blend of Cabernet (50%), Merlot (25%) and Shiraz (25%). Lovely ripe dark fruits nose with a minerally, slightly leafy character and a tarry edge. The palate is dominated by smooth sweet dark fruits. Well defined with an earthy, spicy savouriness adding a lovely spicy definition. Very good/excellent 92/100
Chenin 2005 ***x (3 ½ Stars)
Rich, fat palate, peach & pinenut hint, good length.
Chardonnay 2005 ***x (3 ½ Stars)
Unoaked, elegant citrus notes with persimmon nuance, good length.
Cabernet-Sauvignon / Merlot 2004 ***x (3 ½ Stars)
Classy & complex, fruit restrained & elegant. 60 : 40 blend.
John Platter South Africa Wine Guide 2006
6th out of Top 100
Winery of Good Hope 2005 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch); $9: 91 Points
A delicious example of dry Chenin Blanc. With currant aromas, and a full, fruity palate, this is big, rich and concentrated, with flavors of pears, white currants and a touch of mint to give it a lift. From the same winery as the Black Rock range, this is a fine wine. Imported by Vinnovative Imports.
Top 100 Best Buys of 2005
The Wine Enthusiast
The Winery of Good Hope Chenin Blanc 2005 (Stellenbosch): 91 points.
A delicious example of dry Chenin Blanc. With black currant aromas and a full, fruity palate, this is big, rich and concentrated, with flavours of pears, white currants and a touch of mint to give fruit lift. This is a fine wine. Best Buy.
WINE ENTHUSIAST, USA, 15.11.05