Neethlingshof Malbec, 2008 – Wine Review

So, you thought we’d forgotten about the wine review? Lucky for you, that’s not how we do things here, so let’s get to it.

Michael Olivier seems to experience amazing adventures, I’m well jealous, take a look at this one..

Went out to Neethlingshof earlier this week to go and have a look at their new tasting room and to taste some of the new vintage wines which have been recently released.

The tasting room has a lovely courtyard under oaks – sit under an umbrella as you will be “bombed” by some last season acorns still hanging from the trees!

There is an owl house in one of the trees.

Neethlingshof is one of those wineries which has been around for some time and tends to drop of everyone’s radar screen. Pity as De Wet Viljoen is such a pro. Must admit to a sneaking delight in his Maria which is a Riesling Noble Late Harvest.

Neethlingshof Malbec, 2008

The price: Bargain at the cellar for R55.00

First Impression: Ripe plums and chocolate.

The Story: Malbec is a grape used to make real country wines in the south of France. Some sensible person took some cuttings to Argentina where they flourished and the Argies made great lush operatic wines of the silkiest smoothness. Some sensible person brought some here too and a couple of producers are making good stuff from Malbec.

The Taste: Delicious roadside and forest black berries and plums, swathed in chocolate. Grippy tannins, make it a perfect red meat wine.

Michael Says: Still some purple flashes round the edge, but a deep colour. Glug it into a decanter to aerate it before drinking. Not a bad idea to pop it in the fridge for 30 minute before drinking.

Did You Know? Former owner of Neethlingshof, Jan ‘Bek’ Momberg was a Nationalist Party MP who joined the ANC and ended his political career as Ambassador to Greece.

The small print: 14.5% alcohol, Residual Sugar 3.68. Fermentation took place in rotation tanks between 27°C to 29°C and was completed in small barrels. After malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in a combination of French and American new and second-fill oak for 13 months.

Contact details: +27 21 883-8988. info@neethlingshof.co.za. www.neethlingshof.co.za

Don’t forget to have a look at all the wine reviews we’ve done, as well as buy yourself a copy of Michael’s book – The People’s Guide!