2004 Eikendal Vineyards Classique – Bordeaux Style Blend
Mission Codename: Good Hope for Great Wine
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Secure an exclusive allocation of a Top South African Red Blend
Mission Status: Accomplished
Current Winery: Eikendal Vineyards
Wine Subject: 2004 Classique Bordeaux Style Blend
Winemaker: Henry Christo Kotze
Backgrounder:
Eikendal Vineyards, located in South Africa’s Coastal Region, and specifically the Stellenbosch WO, is well known for its exceptional Chardonnay but it is its red that are the local favorite. Stellenbosch WO, arguable the country’s best wine regions, is located just east of Cape Town. Its unique soil comprised of granite, alluvial and Table Mountain sandstone coupled with its warm dry growing season produces an environment ideal for both white and red grape varieties.
While, many consider these wines more contemporary, wine making in South Africa dates back to the early 1700s when the French arrived. Since then, both production and quality have steadily increased resulting in some exceptional wines.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark purple with a dark, almost black but clear core. Garnet edges ring the glass and when swirled, this slightly viscous wine leaves evenly spaced fat legs that creep down the edges.
Smell – Bold and intense aromas of new oak, licorice and sweet pine that are layered over its black-fruit components. Hints of spice, pepper and a touch of dark chocolate also emerge add to the complexity of the nose of this wine.
Feel – Smooth and almost velvety soft (easy acidity) with a rich dry texture. Full-bodied and well structured with firm, but very fine tannins and a hint of spice on the tip of the tongue.
Taste – Well integrated flavors of blackberries, ripe plums and black-cherries that are balanced against its oak and spice with complex notes of licorice, white pepper and tobacco.
Finish – This wine finishes long and smooth with great flavors of its ripe black-fruit and plums along with hints of spice and oak.
Conclusion – The Eikendal Classique is a delicious Bordeaux style blend (82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc) and at the price is also an exceptional QPR value. Big, bold and rich in flavor and aroma with a structure that will allow this wine to age gracefully and continue to develop, this is a wine that belongs in your both your cellar and on your table. After tasting this wine, we are sure you’ll agree that this is a top blend deserving of its recent honor.
Mission Report:
Today we head down to South Africa’s Coastal Region WO (Origin of the Wine), and more specifically, the Stellenbosch WO. This region encompasses the areas just northwest and east of Cape Town and represents the most of the wines imported into the United States.
South Africa, given its trade connections to Europe, shows a tremendous balance between new-world styles as well as old-world tradition. Since the late 1990s, South Africa has become tremendously popular for producing exceptional wines that are also value oriented.
Today’s selection, from Swiss-owned Eikendal Vineyards clearly represents this only-world/new-world balance. While the winery is well know in export markets for its top-notch Chardonnay, locals know Eikendal for its reds. The Classique is their Bordeaux styled blend and recently was awarded the honor of being among the Top Ten Red Blends from South Africa. Eikendal also has a secondary label, Duc de Berry.
A view of the Eikendal lodge
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of Eikendal Vineyards in Stellenbosch can be seen in this satellite photo.
