Wine Spectator Review of Amani Chardonnay

2006-05-09T18:21:00.000-04:00

Winery:	Amani
Wine:	2003 Chardonnay Stellenbosch
Score:	88
Plump and juicy, with lots of apple, fig, toast and spice notes. Lush, fruit-filled finish. A crowd pleaser. Drink now. 2,000 cases made. (JM)		Price: $16
		Country: South Africa
		Region: Coastal Region
		Issue: Aug 31, 2005

Wine Report's Wine of the Month-Anvil Red 2003

2006-05-08T18:06:00.000-04:00

April 2006 WINE OF THE MONTH

90 Points!
2003 Franschhoek Vineyards Anvil
(Franschhoek, South Africa)
Summary: Deep ruby in color with a purple rim, this wine
exuded clean fresh fruit on the nose with tight cherry and cassis
aromas. This medium-bodied South African jewel provided
lip-smacking fruit flavors, albeit with some strong tannins.
Lingering, pleasant fruit left the tasters begging for another sip.

Review of Amani Sauvignon Blanc

2006-05-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

Amani Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Stellenbosch

Score: 89 Points

Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium yellow. Aromas and flavors of Cape gooseberry, passion fruit, pineapple with a touch of banana. Bright natural acidity runs through the flavors; delicious long finish. None of the typical green characters (bell pepper or asparagus) often found in South African Sauvignon Blanc. Source vineyard close to Atlantic Ocean and False Bay. Very slight residual sugar (.2) supplies a silky texture. Moderately chilled, about 55 degrees, in tall tulip-shaped white wine glasses. Amani Vineyards is American owned.

Food Pairings: Oysters; grilled scallops, prawns or other seafood; grilled vegetables, fried catfish, Asian-influenced fish and shellfish; light composed salads (fried chicken or fried oyster Caesar), Asian-influenced fish and chicken dishes (but not spicy hot)

Review of Anvil Rose from Atlanta writer Jane Garvey

2006-04-28T07:52:00.000-04:00

Franschhoek Vineyards Anvil Rose 2004
Franschhoek, South Africa

Score: 90 Points

Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied dry rosй wine with a translucent salmon red color. Clean floral (initially rose petal) scent followed by exuberant red fruit aromas, focused on strawberry, with lip-smacking strawberry/red cherry flavors. Just delicious. Beautifully balanced. Grape: Pinotage. Skin contact for 12 hours, then fermented at low temperature, like a white wine. Excellent value. Franschhoek means "Frenchman's Corner" in Afrikaans, the national language of South Africa. Many French Huguenots, fleeing repression in France, settled there, bringing the wine business with them.

Food Pairings: Layered casserole dishes, such as moussaka or pastitsio, with tomato and Bйchamel sauce; Whole Foods' King Ranch casserole (or other dishes flavored with cumin); probably also babootie (a layered South African meat casserole), grilled chicken, roast turkey; herb-marinated grilled lamb or pork tenderloin; Southern barbecue (ribs)

Big Boat Wine Company

2006-04-27T17:40:00.000-04:00

Winery	Varietal	Notes	Awards	Suggested Retail Price
Amani Vineyards	Chardonnay	Medium straw color with subtle green hues. It reminds of pear, apple and lemon. The oak is well integrated and vanillin in character. There is a firm citrus acidity with good length. There is some secondary yeast flavors coming through a slight dusty oak texture.	Wine Spectator, 88 points	$14.99
Amani Vineyards	Merlot	Brilliant ruby color. Rich chocolate mocha and ripe strawberries combined with hints of cherries. Opulent layers of ripe plums, mulberries and soft mocha tones. Tannin structure is firm but supple with long ageing potential.	Michelangelo International Wine Awards - Double Gold 3 1/2 Stars John Platter	$18.99
Amani Vineyards	Sauvignon Blanc	The wine has a light straw color with a subtle green tinge. The aroma has a fresh floral bouquet. The palate is refreshing with some gooseberry and grassy flavors, and a clean mineral and flinty note on the finish.	Jane Garvey 89 points	$12.99
Bon Cap Organic Wines	Cabernet Sauvignon	Deep intense ruby color. Prominent spice & flinty flavors on the nose, backed by black fruit and fresh minty undertones. Full-bodied with a good integration of wood. Will age beautifully.	Silver Medal - Michaelangelo International Wine Awards 2004	$16.99
Bon Cap Organic Wines	Pinotage	Deep intense garnet color. Prominent strawberry flavors on the nose, backed by coffee and mocha undertones. Full-bodied with a good integration of wood. Lingers on the palate.	Michaelangelo International Wine Awards 2004 - Silver	$16.99
Bon Cap Organic Wines	Syrah	Spice and pepper aromas supported by black cherry and plum flavors. Smokiness and mocha flavors, with silky tannins. Very good wood integration on this vintage. Lingering on the after palate, this wine will age beautifully.	Gold Medal- Michaelangelo International Wine Awards 2004	$16.99
Franschhoek Vineyards – Anvil Range	Red Blend (Merlot, Pinotage)	This medium to full-bodied red wine has excellent berry fruit aromas softly styled with a long juicy finish.	Wine Report 90 pts	$9.99
Franschhoek Vineyards – Anvil Range	Rose (Pinotage)	A delightful easy drinking Rosè with hints of strawberry.	Jane Garvey 90 pts	$9.99

Franschhoek Vineyards – Anvil Range	White (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc)	This wine offers the combined aromatic flavors of Sauvignon Blanc with the rounded fruit of Semillon. On the nose one discovers fresh cut grass and gooseberries, and on the palate it results in a delicious fresh wine. (2003 vintage notes)		$9.99
Linton Park Wines - Capell’s Court Range	Sauvignon Blanc	A fresh grassy nose with a wonderful green pepper palate. The mouth-feel has got a lovely ripeness about it, gliding gently through to the finish.		$8.99
Linton Park Wines - Capell’s Court Range	Shiraz Off-Dry	Inky-dark in color, dense and concentrated with a potent core of current, black plums, nuts and juicy summer fruits stacked up, finishing with a sweeter, spicy edge and soft but plush tannins. It all comes together nicely on the harmonious finish.		$11.99
Linton Park Wines - Capell’s Court Range	Unwooded Merlot	A full-fruited supple red wine, an un-wooded red with herbal tints and mulberry make this wine supple enough for early drinking.		$11.99
Linton Park Wines – Estate Range	Cabernet Sauvignon	Wonderfully complex, with ripe, rich, vibrant flavors and a smooth, supple texture that lets the core of currant, plum, and minty flavors glide across the palate. Well underlined with new French oak and soft tannins.	Gold medal, Michelangelo Competition	$16.99
Linton Park Wines – Estate Range	Chardonnay	An elegant style, with pronounced ripe fruit, spicy aromatics and lots of complex Chardonnay flavors, echoing ripe pear, fig, melon and buttery nuances. All folds together nicely on the finish where the French oak and flavors are rich and concentrated.	4 Stars John Platter rating	$15.99
Linton Park Wines – Estate Range	Shiraz	This Shiraz has all the satisfying aromas you would expect from a classic Shiraz, starting on the nose with aromas of fresh ground pepper, cinnamon, raspberry and hints of vanilla for extra complexity. The palate is a roller coaster of ripe fruit carried by truffle undertones, - all these echo gently on the long finish.		$16.99
Niel Joubert Wines	Cabernet Sauvignon	Big, full, attractive nose with red and black berries and touch of ripe, dark cherry. Keen, sweet oaky backing with vanilla and spice. Smooth and soft in the mouth with supple, easy tannins yet enough to ensure good development.		$10.99

Niel Joubert Wines	Chardonnay	Fruit driven nose with grapefruit, melon, lemon and lees. Well rounded in the mouth with finesse, subtlety and fine balance. Deftly handled oak and delicious now yet with potential to develop with a couple of years.	3 1/2 Stars John Platter rating Bronze Medal 2005 International Wine Challenge	$8.99
Niel Joubert Wines	Merlot	Nose packed with ripe plums, violets, chocolate and vanilla. Some attractive, well-rounded, mature notes in the mouth. Attractive, light touch of sweet oak. Soft, almost juicy tannins in long, well-rounded finish. (2002 notes)	Gold Medal- Michaelangelo International Wine Awards 2005	$10.99
Niel Joubert Wines	Sauvignon Blanc	Light tropical tones of granadilla and mango on the nose with some grassy notes and a touch of juniper. Well rounded in the mouth with good sweet fruit. Lively, zesty finish. (2004 notes)	International Wine Challenge 2005 – Bronze Medal	$7.99
Rietvallei Wines – Estate Range	Chardonnay	On the nose the wine has appealing roasted citrus aromas with vibrant and prominent lime flavors. On the palate it is well balanced with rich citrus flavors and subtle oak. Added toastiness emerges. The wine is complemented by a long-lasting aftertaste.		$12.99
Rietvallei Wines – Estate Range	Riesling (Dry)	A fragrant, off-dry Rhine Riesling showing lots of fruit and a lively spiciness, which lingers pleasantly on the palate. A lovely, fruity, light in alcohol, everyday and every occasion drinking wine. (2005 vintage)	Michelangelo Awards 2005 - Silver Medal	$13.99
Rietvallei Wines – Estate Range	Shiraz	Intense ruby red colored and complex flavored with the fruit and peppery, spicy and toasted oak flavors well integrated. A full-bodied wine with pleasant ripe tannins and a smooth lingering aftertaste.	International Wine Challenge 2005 – Bronze	$16.99
Rietvallei Wines – John B Range	Red Blend (Tinta Barocca, Cabernet Sauvignon)	A wine with lots of attractive fruit flavors on the nose and which also carries through nicely on the palate with a hint of spiciness. It is smooth and well balanced with a touch of toastiness and lingering aftertaste.	Michelangelo Awards 2005 - Silver Medal	$9.99

Rietvallei Wines – John B Range

White (Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc)

The wine has a lovely floral bouquet with intense fruit flavors on the palate and a well balancing acidity makes for a zesty, long-lasting aftertaste. A fresh, fruity dry wine for everyday enjoyment.

(2003 vintage)

$7.99