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Drumroll for a new series.
We’ve created our first mini-wine review for your entertainment and, hopefully, enjoyment, using words that you'll actually understand.
WHO'S TALKING?
So, who are your reviewers?
Kate Liquorish: actress, food writer, lover of wine and has a keen knowledge of grapes, but no formal wine education. She has plenty of valuable wine-drinking experience, though.
SJ: content creator, social media aficionado, amateur wine lover.
WATCH KATE AND SJ INTRODUCE THEMSELVES HERE
But enough of the chit-chat. Let’s open those wines so they can breathe and get straight to it. First up we’re reviewing three wines from Stellenzicht Wines, in Stellenbosch.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: STELLENZICHT WINES
For some background, Stellenzicht lies within Stellenbosch’s Upper Blaauwklippen Valley, on the slopes of the Helderberg. The label focuses on sustainability, creating a balanced ecosystem to protect the local fauna and flora and yielding elegant, minimal intervention wines, their motto being: "In pursuit of balance". They’re best known for their reds, in particular their Arenite Syrah and flagship Acheulean Red blend.1. Stellenzicht Wines Silcrete Cinsault 2022
"What’s Cinsault?" you say. It’s the little brother of Pinot Noir, more cherry and often more floral on the nose. It’s a lesser-known light red wine that’s mostly used as a blending component to soften heavy reds, but is now becoming more popular as a single grape varietal. "What's a varietal?" you ask. Just a type of grape. Don't worry, we've got this.
What the experts say about Silcrete Cinsault 2022: Cherry, fresh, red fruit-driven, earthy, velvety texture.
What we say:
- Tastes like: cherries, nectarines and a good time. A red wine that’s perfect for summer.
- Pairs with: charcuterie board or prawn risotto.
- Listen to while you drink: Cleo Sol or Rihanna (Old Rihanna, not New Rihanna).
- Drives like: a classic convertible, it’s sexy and sassy, but still sophisticated. You take notice when it drives by.
- Perfect for: summer lunch outdoors with friends and lunches with wine aficionados who think they know it all (and now you can add your two cents).
At R300 a bottle it’s the most expensive of the three, but it’s special, a conversation starter and smooth as Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. Yum!
WATCH KATE AND SJ GET INTO THE SILCRETE CINSAULT
2. Stellenzicht Wines Tristone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
'Cab Sav' as Joburgers like to call it, is the most popular red wine grape in the world and we absolutely love it here. It’s rich, full-bodied and fruity. If you like a wine that packs a punch, this is for you.
What the experts say about Tristone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019: Aromatic nose of cassis, blue fruit and cedar notes, balanced by fine tannins.
What we say:
- Tastes like: dark fruit, plums, chocolate, romance, and a touch of oak, bru.
- Pairs with: lamb stew or oxtail.
- Listen to: Sade or Tash Sultana, something with soul.
- Drives like: a Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series, something big and bold with leather seats that takes you for a fast ride but feels solid at top speed.
- Perfect for: anniversary dinner or closing the deal. It’s delicious from start to finish, and ripe to drink now.
At R225 a bottle it’s in the same league as your Rupert & Rothschild Classique, but where that offers you dry, well-rounded sophistication, this is less dry and gives you more fruit so is somewhat more approachable (just like a Joburger). A real crowd-pleaser.
WATCH KATE AND SJ MAKE SOME MOVES ON THIS CAB SAV
3. Arenite Syrah 2019
"Is Syrah the same as Shiraz?" you ask. Basically, yes. Syrahs are more old-school, tend to come from ‘Old World’ Europe and are lighter in body and alcohol, while Shirazes are ‘New World’; think Australia and here in South Africa. They also are generally fuller in both body and alcohol. Where Cab Sav is about the fruit, Syrah or Shiraz is about adding a little spice (and klaps a little bit harder).
What the experts say about Arenite Syrah 2019: dark berry fruit, allspice and finely textured tannins.
What we say:
- Tastes like: a spiced berry pie and a warm hug.
- Pairs with: a good steak or Greek lamb on the braai with lots of rosemary.
- Listen to: Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald, something classic that’s a little bit playful.
- Drives like: a Volvo SUV or a Bentley, something reliable that takes up space, but that’s also good to look at.
- Perfect for: after dinner by the fireplace or dinner with the boss.
Like the Cab Sav, it’s also R225 a bottle and ripe for drinking. It’s a little more masculine, so think of it as its slightly more rugged, older brother who has trekked through parts of Africa in his youth, but is now finally settling down in Craighall Park.
WATCH KATE AND SJ GET SPICY WITH THE SYRAH
We look forward to sharing more wine mini-guides with you. It's hard work drinking all this wine, but someone has to do it...
To see where Stellenzicht Wines are available in Gauteng, go here. Wines were provided to us by Stellenzicht Wines but views are our own.
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