Fairview La Capra Viognier ’09, South Africa

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A delightful and fragrant wine, from the Paarl Region (Coastal) in South Africa from one of the now regularly awarded winery, Fairview.

Technical Data: 100% Viognier grapes. Most of the juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks. A small portion of barrel fermented wine was also included, adding mouthfeel and complexity. The wine was allowed five months lees contact prior to bottling which will give it more texture and creaminess.

Description: Bright and shiny golden color. This wine shows true Viognier characters by being fragrant and quite strong on its nose, orange blossom is the dominant aromas here laced with a touch of mint and apricot. On the palate, the wine is creamy, textured, full-bodied, mingling together subtle oaky flavors to fruits in general and more particularly peach, apricot and tropical fruits. This round but powerful wine is long lasting and leave quite a nice impression even after being sipped.

Food Pairing & Service: Recommended with heavy and creamy seafood dishes( my favorite, with scallops and creamy shrimps), creamy “cheesy” pasta as well as spicy dishes in general. Great wine for the coming summer season! Will accompany greatly as well a pear or apple crumble. Drink it fresh but not too cold to allow Viognier flavors to show themselves well! Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10

Price as seen on MD shelf: $12.99 it’s a steal for the price, my advice, stock it up for the summer.

Neil Ellis Sincerely Sauvignon Blanc ’08, South Africa

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Flavorful and crisp, fruit-driven white wine from the Cape Region in South Africa from one of the lately most respected winemaker, Neil Ellis.

Technical Data: 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Aged in Stainless steel tanks

Description: Bright light gold color. Very appealing Nose; the very first aromas coming into mind is citrus peel then grapefruit is kicking in followed by woody as well as peppery notes mingled together, finishing by grassy and tropical fruity notes. This wine shows a complex nose which is not cheated by its palate. The wine is crisp, textured, medium-bodied, displaying on its palate exotic flavors such as citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruits (mango) and also a bit of Hawthorne laced together and tied by a long lasting finish with grassy undertone.

Food Pairing & Service: Recommended with light seafood dishes, creamy pasta or light chicken dish, also well suited with some spicy Asian dishes as well as salad. Great wine for the coming summer season! Serve chilled.

Score: 8/10

Price as seen on MD shelf: $15.99

Man Vintners Shiraz’03, Western Cape, South Africa

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A very dry and smoky blended Shiraz.

About this MAN thing, you should know that this brand is a partnership of 3 friends who decided to give to their wines a name with the first initials of their spouse’s first name…MAN is for Marie, Annette and Nicky!
The name of the wine have really nothing to do with a wine made only for men all the contrary…

Technical Data:90% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 50% of the wine was aged in French oak-barrels for 4 – 6 months, then fined and filtered before bottling.

Description:Deep garnet color. On the nose aromas of dark fruits, spice and leather. The palate is very dry and focused on ripe blackberry flavors well enticed with smoke, leathery notes and cedary spiciness backbone by a long foxy finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Goes well with Beef, lamb, game and strong cheeses. Serve at room temperature.

Score:5/10 Nothing wrong with it but not really my taste!

Suggested Retail Price:$7.99

Man Vintners Chenin Blanc’04, Coastal Region, South Africa

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A wine for those tired of Chardonnay and Sauvinon Blanc!

About this MAN thing, you should know that this brand is a partnership of 3 friends who decided to give to their wines a name with the first initials of their spouse’s first name…MAN is for Marie, Annette and Nicky!
The name of the wine have really nothing to do with a wine made only for men all the contrary…

Technical Data:100% Chenin Blanc aged in stainless steel tanks only.

Description:Pale straw yellow color. A crisp, refreshing medium-bodied wine showing lemon, citrus and honeysuckle aromas. Delicious palate full of tropical fruits, fig, apricot and lime-tree flavors enticed with a slight minerality. Long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Could be drunk on its own as un aperitif during summer time. Goes well with fish, poultry and salad. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10 Great Value

Suggested Retail Price:$7.99

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