Editor’s choice: September 2009

This month Christian Eedes looks at wines from GlenWood, Raka Biography, Klein Zalze and Elim.

INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
? ? ? ? FOUR STARS

GlenWood 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R90
GlenWood is located in the little-known valley of Robertsvlei, a few kilometres from Franschhoek, but the grapes for this wine come from much more traditional Shiraz country, namely Agter Paarl. Good fruit expression and well-judged wood – 13 months in second-fill French oak barrels. CE’s score: 19/20.

INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
? ? ? ? THREE AND A HALF STARS

Raka Biography 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R85
Gold medal at the 2009 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. This intricately constructed wine consists of 87% Shiraz, 9% Mourvdre and 3% Viognier and spent 12 months in barrel, 85% French and 15% American, a combination of first-, second-, third- and even fourth-fill barrels. Wine of origin Klein Rivier. CE’s score: 17/20.

INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
? ? ? THREE STARS

Benguela Cove Maiden Vintage 2007CELLAR PRICE: R105 Made by Johan Joubert of Kleine Zalze, who’s proving himself a dab hand at Shiraz. Grapes from a wine and residential estate situated on the Bot River estuary in the Walker Bay district. This wine is deliciously over the top with very ripe, sweet fruit and lots of oak. CE’s score: 17/20.

INVESTMENT SHIRAZ
? ? ? THREE STARS

Strandveld Syrah 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R115 A complex, seriously styled wine from Elim in the Cape Agulhas district. Savoury as well as fynbos notes on the nose while the palate shows concentrated dark fruit, fresh acidity and unapologetically firm tannins. 97% Shiraz, 3% Viognier. 18 months in French oak, 40% new, 30% second fill and 30% third fill. CE’s score: 17/20.

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