On the 20th of February Nikki Heynemann of Nitida, presented the wines of Nitida to us. It was great to meet Nikki, who exudes an amazing passion for all her wines. This was a lovely information filled tasting. A lovely selection of wines that were tasted too. The tasting order, comments of the tasters and average scores are reflected below.
1. Matriarch (MCC) 2022 (50% Chardonnay/50% Pinot Noir)
Colour- light green-gold, not gradating to the rim, fine and lively mousse. Nose- apple, brioche, citrus, toast, honey. Palate- crisp acidity, citrus, honey, orange, creamy, with brioche that lingers to the finish.
Score- 16.83.
2. Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Colour- light green. Nose- guava, citrus, green bell peppers, grassy, gooseberry. Palate- crisp acidity, grassy, green bell peppers, lively minerality, salty, melon, gooseberry.
Score- 16.31.
3. Wild Child Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Colour- light green, gold. Nose- asparagus, citrus with grapefruits, lanolin, honeyed. Palate- crisp acidity, grapefruit, lively minerality, slightly oily, honeyed, asparagus on the finish.
Score- 17.00.
4. Semillon 2022
Colour- light green, gold. Nose- floral, honey suckle, nettles, grassy, citrus, vanilla. Palate- crisp acidity, nettle, grapefruit, grassy, savoury, almost meaty, slight oiliness, honeyed finish.
Score- 16.92.
5. Riesling 2023
Colour- light green. Nose- citrus, lemon, apples, spice. Palate- crisp acidity, lemons, spice, sherbet, citrus, boiled sweets.
Score- 16.33.
6. Pinot Noir 2021
Colour- light red, gradating to a clear rim. Nose- bacon kips, chocolate, citrus, farmyard, red berries, strawberry. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, red cherry and berries, strawberry, coffee, cherry liqueur.
Score- 16.60 (this wine evoked lots of discussion).
7. Merlot 2021
Colour- inky purple-red, not gradating to a purple rim. Nose- spice, fynbos, red and black cherry, cassis, minty, menthol, coffee. Palate- crisp acidity, firm but soft tannins, liquorice, chocolate, caramel, spice, minty, fresh green herbs, black cherries and berries that linger to the finish.
Score- 16.77.
8. Calligraphy Red Blend 2020 (33% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 16% Petit Verdot)
Colour- inky purple-red, not gradating to a red rim. Nose- savoury, leather, tobacco, spice, chocolate, meaty, sun dried tomatoes, minty, black cherry. Palate- crisp acidity, firm but soft tannins, red and black cherry, chocolate, savoury and meaty, sun dried tomatoes, with dark cherries on the finish.
Score- 17.08.
A quality tasting, with amazing wines, thanks Nikki! Two Sauvignon Blanc’s completely different styles, the Wild Child wooded. They were completely different. A lively and fresh Riesling, as only cold climates can do. The wooded Semillon, filled with what one would expect from a real good cold climate Semillon, still young, with only a little lanolin. The Pinot Noir, with coffee and only a hint of strawberry, had the Pinot Noir aficionado’s screaming foul! Nonetheless a great wine, filled with cherries. Calligraphy filled with all that glorious fruit, with the promise of greatness for the future scored the best! The Wild Child came second, so yes it seems some like wood on a Sauvignon Blanc. With the Semillon not far behind in third, exemplifying that we do enjoy wood in our whites, contrary to popular belief. Great tasting, thanks to Nikki and Nitida!!
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