KWV The Mentors 2012 Four-pack

By , 25 April 2018

News from KWV is that the top-of-the-range The Mentors label is going to be positioned more as a stand-alone brand going forwards, current-release white wines under the label all priced at R125 a bottle and reds at R220. Special releases will be made available on an occasional basis and yesterday winemaker Izelle van Blerk released a pack of four different wines from the 2012 vintage, this set to sell for R600. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012
From Darling grapes and matured for six months in older 500-litre barrels. Pungent aromatics of cat’s pee, asparagus and honey. Rich and thick-textured on the palate, this doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

KWV The Mentors Semillon 2012
From Lutzville grapes, 10% matured in oak for two months. Subtle notes of citrus, apple, peach and hay on the nose. Light yet intensely flavoured with snappy acidity and a salty finish.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

KWV The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
43% Darling, 35% Stellenbosch and 22% Paarl. Matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. The nose shows black fruit, tea leaf, oyster shell and attractive oak. Full but balanced with some nice tannic grip – not too smooth textured or too austere.

Editor’s rating: 90/100.

KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2012
100% Paarl grapes, matured for 18 months in 85% French and 15% American oak, 70% new. Red and black fruit, pepper and spice plus a meaty undertone on the nose. Rich and full with an apparent sweetness on entry and a creamy texture – rather old school in style.

Editor’s rating: 89/100.

KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011

Showstopper.

Wine of the day, however, was The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011. From a Paarl vineyard planted some 20 years ago, this wine was matured for six months in older oak. A marked waxy character before notes on lime, peach and earth on the nose. Lovely presence in the mouth – great weight but also freshness. Very flavourful with a long finish.

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Find our South African wine ratings database here.

Comments

0 comment(s)

Please read our Comments Policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Like our content?

Show your support.


Subscribe