On the 25th of July Linus Muller of Montpellier visited us. The last Montpellier tasting at Vats was on
the 15th of May 2018, where Reinhard Odendaal & Ane van Eeden (Farm) presented. Linus will be
back later in the year to present his white wines. Linus arrived, armed with olive and balsamic
vinegar, as well as snacks for after the tasting. It was great to taste Montpellier again. Below is the
tasting, the comments and the scores.
1. Pinot Noir Cape Classique 2017
Colour- light pink, with fine mousse. Nose- pear, apple, brioche, red fruit, strawberry, Fino
sherry. Palate- crisp acidity, slightly sweet, strawberry, pineapple, sherry like, brioche,
lingering strawberry to the finish.
Score- 16.67.
2. Spyseniersberg Red Blend (CabS, Merlot, PV) 2021
Colour- inky purple-red, no gradation to clear rim. Nose- cedar, Eucalyptus, herbal, black
currant, cherry. Palate- crisp acidity, firm tannins, cedar, black currant which lingers to the
finish, herbal, needs time still too young..
Score- 16.5.
3. Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Colour- deep inky red, with no gradation to a light red rim. Nose- smoked game meat, nut,
cassis, wet earth, pencil shavings, dark chocolate, toffee, plum. Palate- crisp acidity, firm
tannins, meaty, cedar box, plum, black berries and cherries, dark chocolate lingering to the
finish.
Score- 17.46 (tied 17th best wine of 2023, with Badger & Mountain Syrah Mantra 2020).
4. Shiraz 2015
Colour- inky almost blackish red, with no gradation to a red rim. Nose- white pepper, spice,
smoke, barnyard, black currant and cherries. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, black currant
and cherries, spice, stewed stone fruit, cedar, black currant on the finish.
Score- 18.00 (tied second best for 2023 with the Seven Oaks 6+ 1 Pinotage 2019).
A real good tasting with really good wines, two in the top 20. The Shiraz was simply superb and so
was Linus’s presentation. We look forward to having him back later in the year and tasting more of
these excellent Montpellier wines!
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