Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: White
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Year: 2008
Producer: Leopard’s Leap Winery
Grape Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.5%

Purchase Price: £4.32 (1/3^rd off offer, Sainsburys)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes –

This ripe, zesty blend of the tropical fruit richness of Chenin Blanc with the crisp, gooseberry and green pepper freshness of Sauvignon Blanc is a superb expression of the beautiful winelands of South Africa's Western Cape. Delightfully fruity, this juicy white wine is delicious on its own, or as the perfect partner to seafood, fish, chicken, and salads.

Somnambulist's verdict:

South African whites? Hmmm I take some convincing, and wouldn’t have picked this one off the shelf personally. My scepticism waned quickly on the first, deep sniff, however. Melons. Ripe and fruity melons. Big, fat, mouthwatering, juicy, greeny-gold, mouth-watering, succulent MELONS. Wow! They give way a little to some citrus tones, and perhaps a whiff of violet… but then it’s back to the melons, and boy do I love melons J

But it gets better on the palate. It’s got gusto and tang without being too feisty, there’s something like buttered asparagus, and it has smokiness and structure, yet somehow remains light and sippily seductive. I thought about some lovely Pouilly-Fumes and wondered how they would stack up… maybe I was just in a good mood but I really loved this!

In the sub-fiver basement hunt for bargains, I’ve come across a few crackers here and there. Occasionally, no, pretty rarely, I come across one that I think would fool me flat out that it was a more expensive wine. This is one of them – top quality at an every day price… ship it in.

The Chocolate Block 2006

Name: The Chocolate Block
Colour: Red
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Year: 2006
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Grape Varieties: 55% Syrah, 17 % Grenache Noir, 15% Cinsault, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Viognier
Alcohol: 14.5%

Purchase Price: EUR ?

Notes:
Maker’s notes – Spicy, dark chocolate surrounded by ripe berry flavours and a fine clove character show in the nose of the Chocolate Block. The Richness of the palate with ripe flavours is in balance with the smooth tannins. This wine has great length with a minimum of 5 years aging potential.

Somnambulist's verdict: Found the initial bouquet a little over sweet, like strawberry confection, but beyond that, wonderful. Deliciously rich, intricate blend of berries, exotic fruits, a touch of pepper and spice, and yes, chocolate. Not a lot of chance of it aging for 5 years in the Somnambulist household.