Wine Review 2010

2
Lot # Wine Year M D Comment
4200 “Triangle”, Clovelly Vineyard 2007 9 9 Jacques Fourie made this for early enjoyment. Now is the
time.
4201 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clovelly Vineyard 2005 8 8 Balanced and rich, it has full-bodied, heady flavours and
succulent ripe red berries.
4202 Wild Fig, Clovelly Triangle Estate 2007 10 10 Utterly raring to go. Made to drink within eighteen months of
the grape harvest.
4203 The Berry, Clovelly Triangle Estate 2006 10 10 Like its white counterpart (Lot 4202) it is made to drink
young. Go for it now.
4204 Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay, Rozier Reef 2006 10 10 Break out the bottles, take the cork-screw and start pouring. It
won’t improve further.
4205 Shiraz/Pinotage, Rozier Reef 2005 8 9 This has settled down nicely in the bottle.
4206 Sauvignon Blanc, Rozier Bay 2006 10 10 Now is time to use the bottles that are left.
4207 Merlot, Rozier Bay 2003 9 9 Like all of the wines from this small corner of the Cape
Vineyards, it has developed quickly. This is not going to get
any better.
4208 Pioneer Blend, Mount Rozier 2004 8 8 A juicy, robust and easy to like red blend. It clearly owes its
inspiration to Bordeaux, but the fruit is ripe, the tannins lower
and the structure less firm.
4209 Sauvignon Blanc, Riverstone Vineyards 2007 10 10 Top class when it was really young, but it is now fading.
4210 Chardonnay, Riverstone Vineyards 2007 10 10 The fruit comes from the van der Merve’s own estate along a
dried up river bed. This has made the wines very complex and
ripe. Very rich and fine now.
4211 Viognier, Family Reserve, 2006 8 9 A fat, almost oily textured, rich wine. A great alternative
Riverstone Vineyards to Chardonnay, but without so much topicality.
4212 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 7 7 Lovely wine. Big colour and bold bouquet. The palate is
Riverstone Vineyards loaded with ripe notes.
Special Offering 44
4213 Sur le Dos des Caves, AOC Bordeaux 2006 7 8 A wine made by Sebastien Lamothe entirely and exclusively
for Opimian. It is absolutely delicious.
4214 Château de Sours Rosé, AOC Bordeaux 2007 10 10
4215 Réserve de Sours, Sparkling Rosé, Brut N.V. 10 10
CRÈMES
There is an ancient tradition of manufacturing the rich crèmes and sirops made from hedgerow fruit in Dijon. They are amazingly
concentrated, but when mixed with a white wine, particularly Bourgogne Aligoté, the result is noble. Cassis is well known as the
foundation of the summer refresher, Kir, but other sirops can also be used to bring their own fine flavours to enhance the party.
4218 Crème de Cassis de Dijon N.V. n/a n/a Blackcurrants
4219 Crème de Mures N.V. n/a n/a Blackberries
4220 Crème de Cerise N.V. n/a n/a Cherries
4221 Petit Chablis, AC 2006 10 10 Should have been finished by now, but well stored bottles are
still fine.
4222 Chablis, AC, “Vieilles Vignes” 2006 8 8 Complex and full. The use of oak for maturation has added a
further element to augment the chalky notes from the terroir.
4223 Chablis Premier Cru, “Fourchaumes” 2006 7 8 Not yet ready. It is still very dry, little enhancement of the palate
and very much flavoured by the chalky soil rather than the fruit.
4224 Chablis Grand Cru, “Les Clos”, 2006 7 8 Typical of the best of Lamblin’s wines, this can be opened,
Grand Cru Controlée but it can also last for many years.
4225 Saint Bris “Sauvignon”, AC 2006 10 10 Somewhere between a sappy, green fruit Sancerre and a
piece of chalk. Very attractive bouquet, good balance, a touch
sharp and fruit deficient, but still drinks well.
Wine Review 2010