On the Simondium Road, close to Klapmuts you will find the most beautiful wine estate, Anura. Dave and I took a drive through one Friday before lunch, and started our visit at the estate with a wine tasting. The wine steward was very informed, giving us anecdotes about the wines we had chosen, as well as his personal preference in each glass.
Dave and I shared a wine tasting (R25 for 6 glasses). We tasted the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve (R95/bottle) first. The grapes were sourced from Durbanville and the wine displayed heavy minerality. Our next glass was the Legato 2012/13 (R60/bottle) which is a blend of 55% merlot and 45% cabernet sauvignon. The wine is light, slightly acidic and cherries forefront on the nose. After this we tasted the Merlot 2012 (R70/bottle) which has spent 12 months in oak and has the most amazing aroma of red roses and is a dry, light wine for every day drinking. We then moved on to the Pinotage 2012 (R70/bottle) which spent 12 months in heavily toasted American oak. This is responsible for the chocolate aromas and the wine has a lovely spicy nose and is extremely dry. Our wine steward suggested we try the Arpeggio 2011 next (R68/bottle) as an extra. This is a blend of 58% syrah, 32% mourvedre and 10% viognier. The nose is full of red currants and a whiff of smoke. After this we tasted the Syrah Mourvedre 2005 Reserve (R95/bottle) which is 85% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% grenache. The wine is very dry and heavy on tobacco. Our last tasting was the Petit Verdot 2008 (R95/bottle) which was placed into new French oak for 22 months. The grape has a thick skin which results in a very complex, dry, smooth wine with beautiful legs. The nose is cassis and the wine has strong mineral flavours.
We so enjoyed the Arpeggio that we bought 3 bottles to take home with us. We have enjoyed one bottle already at a friend, and the nose is so dominant that each sip is a full taste sensation.
Contact them on +27 21 875 5360
What I blogged:
- three years ago – Tangzhong Bread
- four years ago – Sweet Chilli Sauce
What fun and what a beautiful estate!
it was indeed very beautiful 🙂
Tandy these photo’s are lovely, I confess, I haven’t seen grass in so long I forgot what it looks like! Sounds like your wine tasting was a lot of fun. Here in the Niagara Falls (especially on the Canadian side) ice wine is very popular. I think it’s kind of like a wine slushy? Maybe you’ve tried it?
I would not mind some ice wine right now as it is so hot. Never tried a wine slushy before. I have seen ice wine being made in Chine – on TV only 🙂
Looks like some mighty good wine there – Tandy:)
Lots of good wine Rachel 🙂
Tandy, this vino sounds great. I very much look forward to experiencing South Africa’s food & wine when I visit in October. You sure do live in a beautiful part of the world. 🙂
It is the most amazing place to live Anna, we are very lucky 🙂
Hi Tandy, I really enjoy blends, looks like this was a great time!
This was a very good time indeed 🙂
What a beautiful estate, Tandy. All the wines you tasted sound really good. I wonder if Anura export to the USA.
I seem to recall that they do Sylvia 🙂
Thanks, Tandy. I’ll have a look for it. 🙂
If you don’t find it, please let me know 🙂
Some very fine wine to enjoy 😀
A lovely place to visit as well!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
It was a very lovely place to visit 🙂