TASTING FLIGHT:

Best of South Africa

Celebrating 365 Years of Winemaking!

This week, we're embarking on a vinous journey that transcends time and continents with our Best of South Africa Tasting Flight.

In honor of 365 remarkable years of South African winemaking, we've curated a tasting flight that will thrill and excite... And the format will follow a "You Pick" style in which you decide who many wines you want to savor.. maybe just 3 - or 6! - or 5? Bottom line, it's 365 years of celebrating. And yes, you can pick 4... :)

Picture sipping on a delicate Cinsault Rosé, feeling the Cape's coastal breeze that kissed the vineyards. Or perhaps, indulge in the vibrant notes of Chenin Blanc, echoing the legacy of SA's ancient soils. Or immerse yourself in the bold and spicy allure of Shiraz, a varietal that mirrors the diversity of South Africa's terroir. And let's not forget a varietal showing of Pinotage, the true South African fusion of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

What more, you ask?

We're thrilled to have our friend and special guest, Andy Woolgar who has been our boots on the ground in SA for decades. He's a formidable expert in the region's terroir and will be here this weekend. If you'd like to meet Andy and learn more about South Africa, I'd encourage you to stop in at the Park Road Tasting Room this Saturday from 3:00-5:00PM. You'll quickly take a liking to Andy's half British, half SA accent... Andy brings not just his passion for viticulture, but a wealth of knowledge about the vast style and success of South African wines. So if you want to be on the bleeding edge of SA wine, THIS IS YOUR WEEKEND. Time to get on the bandwagon - trust me, there is incredible value here.

This isn't just a brilliant tasting, but a celebration of a rich legacy, where very sip is a nod to the resilience and artistry of South African winemakers. I hope you are able to join us this week as we uncork history, celebrate the present, and toast to a future filled with exquisite South African wines.

Cheers! Mark

PARK ROAD: 

5:00 - 9:00pm Thursday-Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 7:00pm Sunday

SOUTH END: 



5:00 - 9:00pm Thursday-Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 7:00pm Sunday

Below are some Tasting Flights planned for the coming weeks - stay tuned for dates and details!



• Peake Ranch Winery - Producer Spotlight
• Vin de Pays Feature
• Cabernet Franc Blind Challenge
• New Age Rioja - Varietal Spotlight

HISTORY

The history of South African wine begian in 1655 when the first vines were planted near Cape Town by members of the Dutch East India Company. The first results weren’t encouraging, but as more colonists arrived, they brought knowledge and a tradition of viticulture and winemaking. The wine industry grew throughout the 18th century, mainly producing sweet and fortified wines. Brandy, which necessitated the cultivation of white grapes, also became a major export.

In 1795, the British invaded and changed the course of history for both South Africa and its burgeoning wine industry. The vineyard area increased rapidly and wine was exported all over the globe, particularly to the United Kingdom. But as British trade increased with France, South African wine exports declined, compounded by the phylloxera epidemic and the Anglo-Boer War, making the start of the 20th century challenging for winemakers.

The government’s answer was wine cooperatives. One cooperative in particular, the KWV, went on to become a powerful, government-backed entity that determined everything from grape prices to quotas per vineyard. Quality suffered under this system, but many old vineyards were preserved and would otherwise not have survived.

Apartheid in the country led to international sanctions in the 1960s, further hampering the growth of the wine industry. But it was during this time that some independent producers began improvements in viticulture and winemaking. And when apartheid ended in 1994, the momentum toward quality over quantity was building.

WINE REGION Primer

Bordeaux-style blends are one of the Stellenbosch region's great strengths. Wines such as Kanonkop, Paul Sauer, Meerlust's Rubicon and Warwick's Trilogy are South African icons. They are labels with history and proven aging potential. The Simonsberg mountain area became the most highly soughtafter area for reds, while the broader Stellenbosch area offers a wide range of wine styles, from excellent chenin blancs and sauvignons to robust pinotage and Cape blends.

Paarl is its lesser known neighbor, also warm climate driven, and best known for its robust and elegant reds. Franschhoek is the most visited town on the Cape (with lots of French Huguenot history and some of the best restaurants in the region) with famous producers like Boekenhoutskloof. Here the wineries use fruit from other regions too, with examples like Cape Chamonix - which also is a house favorite at Petit.

The generally hotter Swartland region has been at the forefront of the development of Rhône varietals in South Africa, led by stars such as Eben Sadie, as well as home to some of the best old chenin blanc vines. Further north, and much cooler is Citrusdal, where fresher styles are produced and chenin blanc can achieve real finesse and bright acidity.

The Cape peninsula, to the south of Cape Town itself, is home to Constantia, known for its cooler climate thanks to the influence of the two oceans that almost encircle it. Here, sauvignon blanc and the Bordeaux grapes dominate, but there are lovely examples of aromatic varieties too, notably Klein Constantia's fresh Riesling and its sweet muscat, Vin de Constance.

Elgin, en route to Hermanus, is another cool region, very much on the upswing for sauvignon blanc, in addition to Elim, further south and the source of our Exhibition Sauvignon. Further north, where it's warmer, a small number of family producers craft excellent sauvignon too, but increasingly also chardonnay, pinot noir, pinotage and Rhône style reds. Its an exciting time for wine from South Africa and wines unique to the Cape.

GRAPE VARIETALS

Chenin Blanc: The most planted grape variety in South Africa is known by the name Steen. Most of the Chenin Blanc produced goes into brandy production, but there's a growing excitment internationally for South African Chenin Blanc. Here, this peachy and floral grape variety is akin to Alsatian Pinot Gris with some attributes of Viognier. So if you're fan of aromatic whites, Chenin Blanc is probably your jam.

Cabernet Sauvignon: There is a savory complexity to South African Cabernet, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruit-forward Cab from west coast areas like the California central coast examples. Think much more Old World, where black pepper, bell pepper and other more savory notes combine with red currant, blackberry and plum. South African Cabernet Sauvignon lies somewhere between new world and old world, but there is definitely an ode to Bordeaux here.

Pinotage: South Africa's very own grape variety - a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Make no mistake Pinot fans, as Pinotage offers some of Pinot Noir's juicy raspberry and blue fruit characteristics, but the Rhône variety brings in must more spiced chocolate and tobacco. The wine is also much more dense and higher in alcohol where a more savory profile to Pinot Noir thrives - and is commonly blended with other Rhône varieties like Syrah.

Shiraz: South African Shiraz is becoming popular due to its spice, brooding fruit and dark chocolate richness. It's important to note that since Shiraz grows throughout South Africa, it has a wide range of styles. You will find more savory styles from cooler regions such as Paarl and Stellenbosch and more rich offerings from warm/dry areas such as Robertson and Swartland.

WILDEBERG

'Coterie' Cinsault Rosé 2022

Coastal Region, South Africa

$24 btl/retail

A delicate free run Rosé of serious quality from a 30 year old bush-vine vineyard in Paarl. We adore this blush wine and it offers an appetizing savory syle, offset with a gentle, creamy texture.

Varietal: 100% Cinsault. Hand-harvested, naturally-fermented. Aged in a mixture of new and older French oak demi-muids for 18 months.

Tasting Notes: A pale, lightly savory Rosé of depth and purity. The older oak wraps this dry, mineral wine in a delicate creamy veil leading to a bright, structured and fine finish. Delicious & refreshing, your Rosé for Spring 2024!

WILDEBERG

"Strange Kompanjie" Palomino 2022

Piekenierskloof, South Africa

$22 btl/retail

The label reflects the wine's provenance high up on the Piekenierskloof plateau, where stumpy bush-vines appear frozen in time. Here, a small block of Palomino is used for a miniscule release of this forgotten varietal - Palomino.

Varietal: 100% old-vine Palomino planted in 1977. Dry grown, ad wild femented.

Tasting Notes:  Fresh and zesty aromas with notes of almond skin, fennel and even a little jasmine. A bright natural acidity on the palate with a teasing top note of grassy fennel, almond nuttiness and the residual salinity of an old dry grown vineyard. Bright, tangy, and textural - one to enjoy slowly and savor.

OFF THE RECORD by Bobby Wallace

Chenin Blanc 2022

Elgin, South Africa

$29 btl/retail

A project of heart, and a collaboration between brothers, Mark and Bobby Wallace, this is the fifth vintage produced from a small parcel of Chenin Blanc gsourced from within the cool-climate district of Elgin. 

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc. Wild fermented and barrel-aged for 10 months in 2nd 3rd and 4th fill barriques. The wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation in barrel. No added enzymes, yeast and fining agents are used in the making of this wine.

Tasting Notes: The wine has an attractive pale straw color. The nose leads with appealing citrus notes, which unfold onto the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. The broad spectrum of citrus, underlying minerality and gentle wooding contribute to the complexity of this Chenin Blanc and culminate in a long, lingering finish

RALL Wines

Chenin Blanc Blend 2022

Coastal Region, South Africa

$37 btl/retail

Rall wines was established in 2008 and is owned and operated by young independent winemaker Donovan Rall. This 15th vintage is Rall's favorite to date - certainly is the most focused and age worthy white in years.

Varietal: 72% Chenin Blanc, 24% Verdelho and 4% Viognier. This Rall white is an 80/20 cuvée of Swartland and Stellenbosch grapes. All components are fermented naturally and matured separately in a combination of 2000L foudre, seasoned small French oak and concrete egg before blending and bottling after 10 months.

Tasting Notes: Expressive aromatics of citrus, peach, floral perfume, herbs and a subtle reductive note while the palate has a dense core of fruit, invigorating acidity and dry finish. Poised and a thrill to drink.

PILGRIM Wines

Shiraz 2020

Stellenbosch, South Africa

$32 btl/retail

Owner and viticulturist Riëtte Kotzé and winemaker Henry Kotzé are the dynamic duo behind this boutique label. They were awarded newcomer Producer of the Year in 2021 by Platter’s Wine Guide. A fine-tannin focused Shiraz with subtle texture and balanced finesse.

Varietal: 100% Shiraz. 15% whole bunch fermentation. Maturation lasted 18 months in 50% neutral 300L barrels, and 50% third fill 228L barrels.

Tasting Notes: In the glass the wine is a deep purple with aromas of berries, red and black, mingling effortlessly with vanilla and spice – very old world in style. The palate is much weightier than the nose suggests, which is a nod to the ‘new world’ style, while retaining elegance

LANZERAC

"Pionier" Single Vineyard

Pinotage 2020

Stellenbosch, South Africa

$74 btl/retail

Lanzerac established in 1692 is one of the oldest wine producers on the Cape and an iconic cellar with a rich history. Pinotage is unique South African varietal cross created by SA Professor Perold in 1925. The Lanzerac Pionier is a tribute to the world’s first bottled Pinotage – a 1959 Lanzerac Pinotage!

Varietal: 100% single vineyard Pinotage grown at 400m above sea level. Aged in oak barrels for a total of 21 months. The wine was racked twice more to soften the tannins..

Tasting Notes: Excellent deep color, with typical varietal aromas like ripe, plummy red fruit on the nose and palate. A big mouth-feel, complex and velvety pallet and long and lingering after-taste rounds off this wine perfectly.

We will have your order ready for pick-up at our South End store or

at the Flagship Store at 4001 Park Rd!

 mark@petitphilippe.com | www.petitphilippe.com

Wine Emergency? text us at 415.306.4283

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