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.