Wineblog

My wine of the week

Sijnn 2008 – by the Malgas Maverick

by Edo Heyns

Architect, De Trafford Winery proprietor and wine-thought leader, David de Trafford, is a maverick. The short version of the Sijnn story is that he stumbled upon a piece of farmland with unique soil characteristics, while driving around with his wife on a weekend away and ended up being the pioneer of winegrowing in Malgas.

He says that he wasn’t too keen to expand his Stellenbosch property and thought that this unique spot could be “something different”. And how right he was!

Sijnn Wines was officially established in 2003 and with the vines maturing and David getting to grips with the terroir and varietals, the wines are seemingly improving with every vintage.

My favourite of the range and wine of the week is the Sijnn 2008, a Shiraz based blend, with Mourvèdre, Touriga Naçional, Trincadeira and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of those wines that you keep on sipping and tasting, trying to figure it out and eventually end up finishing the bottle!

Initial impressions are earthy, reminiscent of tea leaves. But then it surprises with remarkable freshness, a crisp fruitiness and dark berries. The different components are marvellously integrated, creating a layered and wonderfully complex wine. To add to this, it will definitely reward cellaring.

The Sijnn 2008 is intriguing, distinct, original and proof that David has found that something different.

My wyn van die week

Die dokter het gepraat!

deur Elona Nel

Dit is nou die Kaapse dokter, die geliefde suid-oostelike wind wat in die somer vanaf Valsbaai waai en wynmakers van oor tot oor laat glimlag. Tydens hierdie maand se Nuwewyn proe het Journey’s End se nuutste bries, The Cape Doctor Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, in my glas beland.

Dié nuwe vlagskip wyn, wat net in die beste jare geproduseer word, is die toonbeeld van elegansie en statuur en slegs 12 vate is daarvan gemaak. Dit is ʼn uitstekende voorbeeld van ʼn Cabernet Sauvignon, met kurwes op al die regte plekke. En alhoewel dit 22 maande in eikehout-vate spandeer het, speel die hout ʼn ondersteunende en nie oorweldigende rol nie.

Op die neus beïndruk geure van kruisement en soetrissie, gevolg deur swartbessies en potlood vylsels – met elke neus-vol kom ʼn nuwe geur na vore. Die kompleksiteit duur voort op die palet, waar sagte kruie en speserye soepel en sag met die vrug-element geïntegreer is. Dit eindig vol en vrugtig, met ʼn goeie, sagte struktuur en relatiewe lae alkohol van 13.5%.

Of die professor in Connecticut nou die navorsing wat dui op die gesondheidsvoordele van rooiwyn uit sy duim gesuig het of nie, is ek seker dat hierdie wyn enige skete of kwale sal kan reg dokter.

by Elona Nel

All cellars are created equal, but some are more equal than others. This is written on a black board inside The Wine Kollective shop in the heart of Riebeek-Kasteel. The Swartland boys and girls definitely believe in themselves and although considered by some as being somewhat arrogant, there is no denying that their self-confidence has paid off.

The Wine Kollective shop claims to be “solely dedicated to the special wines of the small, the famous and the utterly unknown wineries of the Swartland”. A bit of a marketing ploy, sure, but clever slogans and a poised attitude is part of the success of the region.

With a pinch of distinction, many cases of fabulous Chenin and perhaps a slight hint of arrogance, the Swartland has already taken off. This boldness is backed by innovative wines and the challenge is now to maintain this momentum.