Spotlight on Down Under, But Over Here!
February 19, 2009
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Dear Wine
Friend,
Geez, we go off to South Africa in
January to explore the "winelands"....yes, wine farms
(like in "Farms in Berkeley"!?), and upon our return I
found my email inbox inundated with inquiries
I could only categorize as
follows:
- "There is wine in South
Africa?" "What countries are you going to
visit?"
- Did you see the article on South
Africa Cabernet Sauvignon in the January 21st. New
York Times?
- Please check out the progress of
the new soccer stadium being built in Cape Town
for the 2010 World Cup.
- Did you go on Safari?
- Can I get some more Ancient
Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon?
- Why don't you just stay home and
sell California
wine?
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Two very
important articles appeared in the press on
January 21st. regarding South African
wineries. .
The NY Times published its
panel tasting results on 25 South African Cabernet
Sauvignon, and awarded for the first time the very rare
and perfect 4 STAR rating to the
2004 de Trafford Cabernet
Sauvignon. We happened to be guests at
the Trafford's garden cottage a week prior, and
even after our tasting appointment and lunch
with David and his wife Rita, not even an inkling
of this news was mentioned. Regretfully, the 04 is
sold out, but we will receive the 05 when it arrives
next month. The 05 de Trafford Shiraz
"Blueprint" is offered below.
James Molesworth, Senior Editor
for the Wine Spectator, blogged a very
informative piece regarding Thelema
Vineyards, and how this Stellenbosch
winery continues to be a leader and strives to improve
its viticulture and winemaking practices. We spent
a fascinating afternoon with Thomas Webb and
sampled his family's entire portfolio. A limited
amount of the 05 Thelema Cabernet
Sauvignon is offered
below.
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HIGHLIGHTING A FEW OF THE MANY NEW
RELEASES ARRIVING FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
07 HAMILTON
RUSSELL Pinot Noir, Walker Bay - $45.95 (Six or
more bottles to $40.44)
"Bold, aromatic and ripe, but very elegant, with
racy acidity providing the ground wire for the rich
black cherry, bramble, incense and sweet earth notes,
followed by a long, multifaceted finish. Drink now
through 2013". - 93 points, Wine Spectator www.thewineconsultant.com/wine/1981
05 de
TRAFFORD Shiraz Blueprint, Stellenbosch -
$42.95 (Six or more bottles to $33.40) "Focused and pure, with a solid core of raspberry
and boysenberry fruit layered with shaved vanilla bean,
fruitcake and spice notes. The long, juicy finish
stretches out nicely. Drink now through 2013." 500
cases - 92 points, Wine Spectator www.thewineconsultant.com/wine/1953
05 THELEMA Cabernet Sauvignon,
Stellenbosch - $42.95 (Six or more bottles to $37.80)
"Well-rendered, with a sense of precision to the
fine-grained tannins and the black currant, plum sauce,
cocoa and loam notes that carry through the lengthy
finish..." - 91 points, Wine Spectator www.thewineconsultant.com/wine/1973
CHECK OUT ALL THE NEW
ARRIVALS! INCLUDING NEW BEST VALUES FROM
SPAIN, PORTUGAL....AND AN AMAZING NAPA VALLEY CABERNET
DISCOVERY!!
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Hope to see you Saturday at the Tasting Bar!
THE
WINE CONSULTANT - est
1990
Eric
Stumpf
Renee
Kroeger
8039 Greenback
Lane
Citrus Heights,
CA 95610
(916) 721-WINE
(9463)
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The Wine Consultant | 8039
Greenback Lane | Citrus Heights | CA |
95610 |
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