Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Sauvignon Blanc at reasonable price points tends to fit into a few well delineated pockets: the acid driven steely basic mineral concoction from France, the super rich, fruit and alcoholic versions from California and the Zesty citrus and grass firebrands from New Zealand. This particular Sauv Blanc, however, comes to us not from one of these three classic regions, but from the oft-neglected South Africa.

Thelema is a highly regarded producer down there, and luckily we get a few of their offerings on the other side of the world in BC. This Sauvignon Blanc really shone past its price point with quince, baking spices and pine on the nose. Defying typicity for an under $30 wine, the palate was massively flavourful and much more complex than expected: zesty lemon, quince, spice, and cloves. Full in the mouth, but fresh and zippy on the finish, this should be a destination summer white.

Very Good+ and Highly Recommended
$25 at BCLDB or Marquis

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Another South African wine, again from Thelema - a renowned producer. This was a classic Cab, perhaps lacking in concentration, despite having reasonable potential. The flavour profile revealed cedar-forest, cassis and red fruits. This had excellent balance and was quite elegant and polished, but it lacked a wow factor. It was, perhaps, too thin for this price point.

Very Good+

$50 at Marquis

Rustenberg John X Merriman 2005

Another experiment in South African wines, this comes from a well respected producer of red blends. The nose on this Cabernet based blend was oaky and heavy in cassis (I find a lot of SA wines to be a bit too oaky or woody). However, while this was perhaps too oaky, the oak DID give structure and depth to the fruit that probably would not have been there otherwise. Simple, but concentrated flavour, this is pretty good for the price point and worth a try for those interested in exploring a more worldly milieu.

Very Good

$35 at BCLDB

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Now here is a brilliant South African Producer. This Sauv Blanc was fresh, very aromatic and filled with complex rocky and stony mineral flavours, powerful pomello rind, and a touch of grassyness. Bone dry and unoaked, what made this so special was the exceptional structure and very robust depth to the flavour profile. If you like Sauv Blanc at all this is a must try and definitely a best in class type of bottle. I can't wait to try their Cabernet.

Excellent

$25 at Marquis (also available at other private stores)

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2003

A rare venture into South Africa for me, and starting with one of the most renowned names for some reason put on sale at 30% off in a strange but wonderful discount program at BCL which seems to randomly select wines for 30-50% discounts regardless of quality. I think it has something to do with lack of information in the market, with many consumers not knowing about some of the slightly more 'obscure' producers from regions like Portugal and South Africa who are yet producing fantastic wines. Good for me.

This had blackberry and cassis on the nose, with the palate adding boysenberry or similar bitter berry. This also had an interesting almost funky fruit twist on the palate that I found it hard to identify. The finish concluded with a touch of menthol that rounded the wine out pretty nicely. Good stuff, but honestly far too pricey for what you get.

Very Good+

$70 at BCLDB (bought on sale for $50)