BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF 2009 WOLFTRAP
Another awesome summer wine that won't break the bank, The Wolftrap is a blend of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier that is unpretentious as it is tasty. Both the Syrah and Mourvèdre come from a Malmesbury vineyard with the Viognier sourced on Boekenhoutskloof (Boekenhoutskloof, the parent winery, was founded as a small farm in 1776 in the Franschhoek valley, about a 40-minute drive northeast from Cape Town, South Africa). This is a clean, simple wine with tasty black fruit flavors mixed with a hint of red berry and a light spiciness tempered by a touch of violet. The tannins are smooth and you could serve this one at cellar temperature for a nice refreshing red wine for a hot summer day. The name comes from stories of wolves in the Franschhoek valley-- though they've never seen one; they did, however, find an ancient wolf trap that they decided to leave undisturbed, just in case.

DE TOREN 2007 FUSION 5

DELHEIM 2006. PINOTAGE

EXCELSIOR 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Top-notch Cabernet for $6.99? You bet! This little gem kind of screamed “front-page” and upon tasting, we think you’ll agree! The wine proffers gobs of gorgeous, up-front fruit capturing lush vectors of ripe plum, black cherry, boysenberry and black currant fruit deftly accented with sundry hints of spice, carob and espresso.

Technically a blend of Cabernet (90%), Syrah (8%) and Petit Verdot (2%), we could ramble on about South Africa, the De Wet family who own the estate and their commitment to produce world class wine as well as the high quality of the 2008 vintage in South Africa, but why? This is perhaps the most “un-South African” wine we’ve ever tasted from South Africa!

The wine’s bright fruit is clearly the star of the show. And while Excelsior’s finish showcases just a bit of this wine nation’s unique volcanic soil, we think you’ll agree that Excelsior could easily have emanated from such familiar locales as Napa or Bordeaux. The beauty of the bottle is the price as we don’t often see wines of this quality from either of these renowned regions coming in at the sub-$10 niveau.

All in all, this is a tremendous wine bargain that deserves both a test drive and a place at your table. It’s perfectly suited to all of the season’s activities be they at the beach, on board, on the patio or at the pool. Your summer house red has arrived!

FAIRVIEW 2005 THE BEACON SHIRAZ 750 ML
The single vineyard Beacon 2005 is quite a serious wine, and has oaky, bacon aromas which continue into densely deep-flavored dark berry-fruits as it opens up. More serious tannins line this wine nicely, accentuating its immense fruit structure.

GLEN CARLOU 2006 RED BLEND

GOATS DO ROAM 2009 WHITE 750ML
It certainly is a clever name-- the play between Goats do Roam and Côtes du Rhône. But if that was the only thing behind this wine, a little play on words gimmick to hopefully catch your eye, it really wouldn't be worth writing up. Fortunately for all, as we like a little wordplay as much as the next wine staffer, this is a tasty and affordable white that's perfect for the season. A blend of 54% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc and 6% Roussanne, the Goat has a nose of stone fruits and light chalk that leads to a tasty palate that starts sweet and fat, with more peach and stone fruits and gorgeous viscosity, but brightens up mid-palate with a crisp river rock element and light minerality/ acidity that keeps it refreshing.

HAMILTON RUSSELL 2008 PINOT NOIR
(burgundian-like; cherry fruit aromas accented by notes of smoky minerals and leather)

INDABA 2009 CHARDONNAY
Citrus and tropical fruit aromas lead to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavors of apple, pear, honey, and pineapple. A gentle kiss of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth. A superb value, this versatile white is a fantastic match for a wide range of dishes, from mac & cheese to spicy ethnic food

MAN VINTNERS 09 CHENIN BLANC
This 100% Chenin Blanc from the Perdeberg region of Paarl, South Africa just screams. The vines are 15-45 year old un-irrigated bush vines. Only free-run juice is used in producing this wine which exudes aromas of tropical fruit, guava and melon. On the palate, crisp and bold slightly sweet citrus backs a refreshing acidity and minerality. . This is a great sipper!

MEERLUST 2006 RUBICON RED BLEND
Rubicon is the estate’s flagship wine made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It was dark, loamy and powerful, with lots of tarry grip, but still had a vibrant, minerally spine. Kudos to this estate for updating its wines without losing its sense of place and history

MULDERBOSCH 09 ROSE
This wine was a unanimous staff favorite and when we found out we could offer it at $9.99 we bought a bunch of it. Mike Dobrovic has crafted an impressive rose with fragrant earthy aromas of cherry and strawberry and a creamy, flavor-packed palate with fresh acidity and a lingering finish. This rockin' rosT is fantastic on its own but will pair well with salmon, turkey, barbequed meats and steaks!

MULDERBOSCH 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Clear, light lime green color. A tropical nose packed with guava, green fig, granadilla and a hint of floral - yet still maintaining a complex character of nettle and freshly cut grass. The mouth-filling ripe fruit is supported by crisp acid. This wine screams one thing: "Give me more !!!"

PORCUPINE RIDGE 2008 SYRAH
We can't say enough about this knockout new release from Boekenhoutskloof's winemaker! This South African wine is a rich warm ruby colour and dominated by a spicy aromatic profile, with hints of liquorice and dark berries. The tannins are ripe and well integrated. Great quality and value.

RAATS 2009 CHENIN BLANC - UNOAKED A crisp, unadorned style, with honeysuckle, white peach & mineral notes. The fresh, light-bodied finish has nice persistence. Drink now. 5,665 cases made.

RAATS 2006 FAMILY CHENIN BLANC
This sublime bottling from Chenin master Bruwer Raats sets the standard for South African Chenin Blanc, consistently garnering 90+ scores from Wine Spectator. A portion of the wine is fermented and aged in barrel, resulting in a rich, profound offering that strikes a perfect balance between elegance and power. Luscious flavors of honeyed pear, butterscotch, citrus, and ginger and delicate hints of mineral and spice carry through on the seemingly endless finish.

WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Ripe, but remarkably lithe and elegant, with tangy mineral, chamomile and honeysuckle notes leading the way for ginger, pear and cardamom flavors. The long, bracing finish leaves lingering bitter almond and peach pit notes. Drink now through 2008. 1,500 cases made. "

RUST EN VREDE 2004 RED BLEND

RUSTENBERG 2006 MERITAGE JOHN X.MERRIMAN
46% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot

RUSTENBERG 2008 CHARDONNAY
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS -

SCALI 04 SYRAH
The 2004 Syrah is ripe and polished, with super friendly plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit flavors held together by a judicious layer of mocha.
Wine Spectator 90 Points

SOUTHERN RIGHT 2007 PINOTAGE

SOUTHERN RIGHT 2009 SAUVIGNON BLANC
Made by Anthony Hamilton Russell, this Sauvignon Blanc shows minerality and lively acidity with citrus notes and a lengthy, chiseled finish.
Excellent expression of pure Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. Best year ever!

VILLIERA 2009 "DOWN TO EARTH" SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON BLEND
77% SAUVIGNON BLANC, 23% SEMILLON
South Africa is very topical these days with a successful World Cup and a young man named Oosthuizen making some news in Scotland recently—so, it’s only fitting to have an outstanding summer white wine to add to the list of good stuff going on down South. The nose of beautifully fresh green melon, guava, lime zest and lemon grass notes leads to more tropical fruits on the palate enwrapped in a lush, fat mouthfeel that retains a nimble touch with balancing acidity.
If you like some of the big, brash Sauv Blancs out of New Zealand, this one is right up your alley. This will help keep those hot summer days tempered and in a tasteful way. Try with sea foods, picnic goods, tempura, sushi.

WARWICK 2001 TRILOGY RESERVE
The wine shows a wonderful intensity of fruit and warm mocha flavours. A sweet, perfumed luscious nose, which is earthy and provocative. Raspberry and blackberry flavours abound. There is a silky soft feel in the mouth with chocolate flavours on the palate. The wine has a very broad palate that lingers. Decanting while young will give more pleasure and aroma.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.