Simonsig Vintage day 2014

The Malan brothers must have planned for a party filled lifestyle.  Why else would they store so much of their wine?  Enough for at least two Vintage Days.  Possibly the most value for money in the local wine scene.  The first one was one of my favourite days last year and the 2014 edition once again provided solace amidst a more turbulent than normal working weekend. 

Accompanied by two women of loose mental capacity (read Comrades runners) I delved into the vinous vaults of Simonsig again.  For me the bubbles remain attraction number one.  Underscored by my firm believe that red wine is for grownups, I headed upon arrival to the Cap Classique counter where an old acquaintance dispensed invigorating nectar known commercially as Kaapse Vonkel. This year the millennium decade was on show.  Like last year the 2005 made inroads into my wallet after charming the taste buds.  The team’s effort of two years later also impressed with the 2008 vintage not far behind.  One year spent in the bottle by the 2005 gave it the edge over the recently disgorged others.   The 2007 will have to wait another year in my stock room before journeying to my mouth.

Unwooded Pinotage of even years from 94 to 98 did not impress much, with the 98 best of the lot.  The much younger 2007 also tasted a little strange to me.  Even the extremely cheap price of R60 did not seem value for money to me.  buy the new release now and drink it before the cricket season starts (thanks to Gyles Webb for that one) 

The old Shirazes from 91 and 92 still provided pleasure and here the R65 price tag was a bargain.  The even better 2003 lost out on a trip in the Honda due to emotional connections to the early nineties.

A foursome of Cabernets from 2004 to 1999 also at the bargain price of R390 for six bottles was quite drinkable.  I liked the 03 so much, I encouraged it into the boot with the help of a plastic friend.

As can be expected the oak gave the Redhill Pinotage an ageing edge over the unwooded version.  With the 2012 recently receiving an ABSA Pinotage top ten finish they had that on show as well, but tasting older wines all day spoils you for something as juvenile as 2012.  What it did do was to give a hint of how the wine will age.  From my experience with the older siblings, keep it 7-8 years.

The Pinotage led blend named for the estate’s founder, Frans Malan, seems to need another year or two in the bottle.  The 03, my favourite of the trio on show with the 05 youngest, still showing ageing potential tannins.

Bordeaux blend Tiara had the widest range starting with the democracy and ending in 2006.  All very drinkable.  The 94 and 97 probably reached their peak and the 99 and millennium edition extremely good.  Once again the youngest, a mere 8 years old, was the one that impressed me least.  But I refer the reader to the comment of mature wines spoiling the jejune ones. 

Again the undoubted star of the day, present company excluded, was the Merindol Syrah.  Up to 1999 it was a blend of different vineyards aged in American oak.  Of the last pre-millennial trio the 98 was my favourite.  From 2000 on it became a single vineyard aged in French oak.  The 2001 and 2006 filled my mouth with such joy I bought two cases.  At R230 a bottle it is great value.

Once again not the throng of people I expected.  We always found a place to sit, didn’t queue for long at the tables or the food.  More students found their way to a tasting of wines older or at least closer to their age this year.  A boat that for me sailed long ago.  

Simonsig Vintage Day 2013

Well, one year late, but I am posting it anyhow as the second event happened last weekend and rates a post as well.  This could do with more editing, but here it is:

Wines develop along different paths than humans.  Some are better in youth while others only hit their peak close to the end.  Some are denied a peak by early death (or drink) and some are duds from the start.  Simonsig, just outside of Stellenbosch, showed the ageing potential of their wines on Saturday.  The estate is rich in history with Frans Malan instrumental in starting the Stellenbosch wine route and also first producing of Methode Cap Classique in the Cape. 

As I piloted the Honda towards wine country a crop duster nearly took us out.  I’m used to seeing cars on my level when looking out of my car window, not flying planes.  No tire marks on the car roof and no forced change of underwear.  But nearly.

At the farm it was like a history lesson and I love history.  Laid before our palates were wines from 1991 to 2005.  I’ll go through them as they were grouped at the tasting tables.

Kaapse Vonkel 99-07  I liked the 2000 and 2005 best.  Bubbles keep better than people think, although these were disgorged only on the previous Monday.  So in terms of ageing it is different than storing it at home after the yeast has gone.  Tip from the estate: When storing bubbles for a long time, do it upright.  The risk is the cork can deform and lose shape, thus allowing gas to escape if it slumbers sideways.

Tiara, the Bordeaux blend 92-07 with different recipes over the years and different ripening conditions made for more variations than with single varieties.  Standout for me was the 98 with the 02 a close second. 

The Redhill Pinotage is a single vineyard Pinotage 97-07.  Oaked and impressive.  The 05 in 1^st place here for me.

The “normal” Pinotage is unwooded 94-07. It did not last as well as the wooded Redhill.  None of them really impressed me enough to buy despite bargain price of R60 a bottle.

Staying with the Pinotage theme the Frans Malan Reserve is the Pinotage led blend named for the estate’s patriarch 01-05.  The 2003 pleased me most. 

Of the Cabernets 92-05 I really liked the 92 and apparently I was not alone.  It was the only wine I tried to buy that was sold out later that afternoon.  I did get hold of the 2000 though.

The stars of the day were Shiraz.  The “normal” 91-03 and the premium Merindol 98-05 both impressed.  By now the 1991 is soft and still drinking lovely.  The 92 is completely different, not bad, just different.  The third one on taste was the 2003 which I also liked, but compared to the older wines it tasted immature.  The 99 and 01 Merindol are for me optimal now. 

In total 40 wines on show.  Stored in optimal conditions and sold for R60-210 a bottle.  And despite this, not masses of people.  We always found seats to sit, regroup and rehydrate between tasting flights.  Food and coffee provided by on site Cuvee restaurant so it was very good.