South African Wines - February 23rd - The Lanes

photo credit
South African Wines - Wednesday, February 23rd - hosted by Mr & Mrs. Lane
We chose South African wines for this month's tasting, because we love them (and Valentine's Day is about celebrating love) AND it's Black History Month, which leads us into a discussion on the ISAW Foundation (non-profit) and the South African wineries it helps to support & bring awareness to.

Food served at this months wine club:
Mushrooms, Lamb Shank in mint sauce, carrots, feta dressing, hemp/chia/flax tortilla chips, chipotle salsa, red pepper spread, goat cheese, New Zealand/organic/grass-fed/cheddar cheese, green olives, milk chocolate with hazelnuts, dark chocolate bites, blister peanuts.

Tasting Notes:
1- 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - $18.99 @ Wine Shoe (in Castleberry Hill) -DECANTED
color- purple, brick-brown, garnet
nose - smoky, citrus,
palate - smoke and citrus flavors
comments made - nice legs, medium body, excellent decanted wine

2- 2004 KWV Merlot - $11.99 @ Rhapsody Bottleshop - 90 pts
color - brownish garnet, brick red, cloudy
nose - lovely cocoa powder scent with slight floral and spice notes
palate - tart, orange & citrus, longer finish
comments made - might go well with a tomato based entre, amazing scent, pairs well with dark chocolate

3- 2009 Two Oceans Cabernet 60%/Merlot 40% blend - Western Cape - $7.99 @ Hillside Liquor
color - purple/brown, more garnety (?)
nose - funky smell at first, but then lightens into a mushroom/earthy scent, olive oil
palate - smoother, shorter finish, dry, medium body (bottom side of medium)
comments - "nice legs, yeah it does, I love nice legs" , "very drinkable", pairs well with milk chocolate and hazelnuts

4- 2006 M'Hudi Pinotage - $18.99 @ Wine Shoe (this bottle wasn't decanted thus the difference)
color - opaque, rubier garnet, dark ruby
nose - woody-cedar, smoky
palate - strawberry, cherry, smoke, medium bodied
comments - "OMG these legs are the best - Wow!"

5- 2009 Spier Pinotage - Western Cape - $9.99 @ Total Wine
color - more purplier (that's what they said)
nose - blackberry
palate - plum, cherry, tobacco, lighter body, shorter finish
comments - pairs well with red meat, grapey, slow lingering legs that pause down the glass after a swirl

6- 2009 Seven Sisters Bukettraube - Odelia - Western Cape - $13.99 Wine Shoe
color - "color of rapunzel", pale straw, nearly clear
nose - sea grape trees from Florida, lychee, apple,
palate - semi-dry, sweeter, honey/floral, pineapple, light, refreshing, slightly sweet
comments - summer picnic wine,

7- 2008 M'Hudi Sauvignon Blanc - Western Cape - $15.99 @ Wine Shoe
color - paler straw, clear
nose - green/clean, to borrow a word from ISAW's Stephen - "herbacious", green apple,
palate - grapefruit and apricot, hint of oak but not too oaky, deeper layers
comments - sticky legs, better than a New Zealand Sauvingnon Blanc!

For more information on ISAW Foundation, please see these previous posts:
ISAW on CBS
ISAW Media Project Fundraiser
Drink Well Do Good on Travel Channel
ISAW article in The Voyeur Magazine
Abbie meets Vivian of Seven Sisters Winery
ISAW Foundation Info
ISAW Event at Emily Amy Gallery
ISAW Blackout
ISAW Wine Tasting

Support ISAW at these Atlanta Retailers:
Tower Wine & Spirits
Ansley Wine Merchants
Wine Shoe (Castleberry Hill)
Wine Styles Cascade