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.