We recently had the opportunity to attend the third annual Grape Escape Wine Festival, hosted by Wine Concepts and held at the prestigious Steenberg Golf Club. This event proved to be both captivating and unique, as it presented an impressive array of wines encompassing a diverse selection of uncommon varieties and blends.
Some noteworthy examples included Cinsault, Gamay Noir, Verdelho, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Riesling, Clairette Blanche, Carmenere, Carignan, Zinfandel, Chenin Blanc, and Chenin-driven blends. Additionally, the festival featured captivating Rhone varieties such as Viognier, Marsanne, Syrah, and Grenache. It truly allowed us to “Escape the Norm” and indulge in an extraordinary wine tasting experience.
What we tasted:
Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc 2021
It delights the senses with its vibrant and aromatic profile. Ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot mingle with tropical notes of pineapple and mango, creating an inviting bouquet. On the palate, zesty citrus flavours of lemon and grapefruit take center stage, accompanied by delicate floral undertones.
The wine’s medium body and refreshing acidity provide a lively and crisp mouthfeel, while the well-integrated oak aging adds subtle vanilla and spice accents. With a clean and lingering finish that combines fruit and mineral nuances, this Grenache Blanc is a well-crafted and harmonious white wine, offering a refreshing and nuanced experience.
Old Road Wine Co. Anemos Chenin Blanc 2020
A captivating white wine that entices the senses with its intriguing flavour profile. On the nose, it reveals enticing aromas of ripe orchard fruits such as apple and pear, accompanied by delicate floral notes that add a touch of elegance. The palate showcases a harmonious blend of flavors, with crisp green apple and juicy stone fruits taking the forefront. There is a subtle hint of honeyed sweetness that adds depth to the wine’s character.
Nomoya Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
A beautiful white wine that showcases the true character of old vine Chenin Blanc. The aromas are vibrant and inviting, with notes of ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango, intertwined with hints of honeyed apricot. On the palate, the wine reveals a luscious and well-rounded texture, offering flavours of juicy pear, crisp green apple, and a touch of citrus zest.
The wine’s bright acidity provides a refreshing lift, while the subtle oak aging lends delicate notes of vanilla and spice. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a harmonious blend of fruit and subtle mineral undertones.
Nomoya Vermentino 2021
On the nose, it exudes fresh and vibrant aromas of citrus fruits, particularly lemon and grapefruit, accompanied by subtle hints of tropical fruits. The palate offers a crisp and refreshing experience with zesty flavours of lemon zest and tangy grapefruit, complemented by a touch of green apple and herbal undertones. The wine’s bright acidity provides a lively and invigorating mouthfeel.
Nativo The Bees Viognier 2021
It entices with inviting aromas of ripe stone fruits, such as peach and apricot, accompanied by delicate floral notes that add an elegant touch. The palate offers a rich and velvety texture, unveiling flavours of juicy peach, tropical pineapple and a hint of honeysuckle. The wine’s medium body is complemented by a balanced acidity, providing a pleasant and well-rounded mouthfeel.
Nativo The Birds SMG 2020
A red wine blend that combines Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre. The wine offers aromas of ripe dark berries, such as blackberry and plum, intertwined with hints of spice and a touch of earthiness. On the palate, it reveals a harmonious combination of juicy red fruit flavours. The wine has a medium body with smooth tannins and a well-balanced acidity, leading to a satisfying and lingering finish.
Morgenster Vermentino 2022
It boasts vibrant citrus flavours, such as zesty lemon and tangy grapefruit, complemented by hints of tropical fruits. The wine’s bright acidity and subtle mineral notes add a delightful liveliness to its character.
Morgenster Sangiovese Rosé 2022
It is a delightful and elegant wine. It displays a beautiful pale pink hue, inviting you to indulge in its aromatic profile. On the palate, this rosé offers a medley of red berries, such as ripe strawberries and juicy raspberries, with a touch of watermelon. Its vibrant acidity and crispness contribute to a refreshing and well-balanced experience.
Marras Piekenierskloof Hanepoot 2022
This is such a delightful and aromatic wine. It showcases the unique characteristics of the Hanepoot grape variety. On the nose, you’ll encounter captivating floral aromas, including jasmine and honeysuckle, intertwined with hints of ripe apricot and tropical fruits. The palate offers a luscious sweetness balanced by a refreshing acidity. Flavours of juicy white peaches, honeyed nectarines and a touch of citrus unfold, creating a harmonious and indulgent experience.
Migliarina Stellenbosch Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2022
It showcases the character and complexity that this grape variety is renowned for. On the nose, you’ll discover enticing aromas of ripe pear, yellow apple, and delicate floral notes. The wine’s palate is beautifully balanced, offering a combination of stone fruit flavours, along with hints of citrus and a subtle touch of honey. The wine’s crisp acidity and mineral undertones provide a refreshing and lingering finish.
Maanschijn Herbarium Cape White 2022
Four varieties make up this blend which includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Chardonnay.
On the nose, you’ll encounter a bouquet of aromatic herbs, along with vibrant citrus notes. The palate offers a medley of flavours, with crisp green apple, zesty lemon and a touch of tropical fruit. The wine’s vibrant acidity is so refreshing.
Lozärn Carménère Rosé 2022
Lozärn is the only cellar in South Aftica to produce a Carménère Rosé. Lozärn Carménère Rosé is a delightful and vibrant rosé wine. Made from the Carménère grape variety, it offers a unique twist on the traditional rosé experience. This wine showcases a beautiful pale pink colour in the glass. On the palate, you’ll discover a harmonious balance between refreshing acidity and fruity flavours. Expect notes of ripe red berries, such as strawberries and cherries, alongside subtle hints of spice.
Lozärn Carménère 2021
This wine was the highlight for me with a rich and full-bodied red wine that highlights the unique qualities of the Carménère grape. This wine exhibits a deep, ruby-red color in the glass. On the nose, you can expect aromas of blackberries, black cherries and a touch of dark chocolate. The palate offers a complex array of flavours, including blackcurrant and hints of tobacco and spice. The tannins are well-integrated, providing a smooth and velvety texture.
Lozärn Kay’s Legacy 2018
This wine has remarkable depth and complexity. On the nose, you’ll encounter a captivating bouquet of dark fruits, such as blackberry and blackcurrant, mingling with hints of cedar, vanilla and spice from oak aging. The palate offers a luxurious and velvety texture, accompanied by flavours of ripe plums, dark chocolate and subtle earthy undertones. The tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and balance. A blend that consists of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère.
Lost Boy Wines Viognier 2022
Lost Boy Wines’ “Wines for the Wild” Viognier is an exciting and vibrant white wine. On the nose, you’ll find enticing aromas of apricot, peach and tropical fruits, accompanied by delicate floral notes. The palate offers a luscious and rounded mouthfeel with flavours of ripe stone fruits, hints of citrus and a touch of honey. The wine’s well-balanced acidity adds freshness and a crisp finish.
Lost Boy Wines for the Wild Fumé Blanc 2022
This Fumé Blanc showcases the unique characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. On the nose, this wild, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc encounters vibrant aromas of citrus, green apple, and tropical fruits, intertwined with subtle herbal notes. The palate offers a lively and refreshing experience with flavours of grapefruit and a hint of passion fruit. The wine’s zesty acidity provides a crisp and invigorating finish.
Lost Boy Wines for the Wild Syrah 2021
It exhibits a deep, garnet-red color in the glass. On the nose, you will find aromas of dark berries accompanied by hints of spice. The palate offers a rich and velvety texture, with flavours of ripe black fruits and a subtle earthiness. The wine’s well-integrated tannins provide structure and depth, while the vibrant acidity adds a refreshing balance.
Lost Boy Wines for the Wild Carbonic Cinsaut 2022
This Cinsaut is made using the carbonic maceration technique, which lends a unique character to the wine. Aromas of aromatic red fruit notes, such as cherry, raspberry and cranberry, along with floral undertones. The palate offers a juicy and fresh experience, with flavours of red berries and a touch of earthiness. The wine’s light body, soft tannins, and vibrant acidity make it incredibly approachable and versatile.
Keermont Terrasse White Blend 2021
A white blend that consists of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. This blend showcases the harmonious combination of different grape varieties, resulting in a complex and balanced profile. On the nose, you’ll encounter a bouquet of enticing aromas such as citrus fruits, tropical fruits and floral notes. The palate offers a layered and textured experience, with flavours that range from crisp apple and zesty citrus to nuances of stone fruits and a touch of minerality. The wine’s vibrant acidity and well-integrated structure provide a refreshing and lingering finish.
Keermont Merlot 2019
Notes of ripe dark berries mingling with hints of cocoa, herbs and a touch of cedar. The palate offers a rich and velvety texture, with flavours of strawberries and a subtle spice undertone. The wine’s well-integrated tannins provide structure and balance, leading to a long and satisfying finish.
Keermont Syrah 2017
Captivating aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and a hint of blueberries, intertwined with notes of black pepper and subtle floral undertones. The palate is rich and velvety, with layers of dark fruit flavours, complemented by hints of spice and a touch of dark chocolate. The wine’s well-integrated tannins provide structure and depth, while the vibrant acidity contributes to a long and harmonious finish.
Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
It has a vibrant bouquet of red berry fruit dark cherries, along with notes of cedar. The palate is rich and velvety, with layers of ripe fruit flavours, including blackberry, plum and cassis, intertwined with nuances of dark chocolate and subtle spice.
La Bri Wines Viognier 2022
In the glass it exhibits a pale straw-yellow color with floral aromas, along with enticing notes of ripe stone fruits like apricot and peach. The palate offers a luscious and textured experience, with flavours of tropical fruits, citrus zest and a touch of honey. The wine’s well-balanced acidity adds freshness and a crisp finish.
La Bri Wines Double Door Roussanne 2022
The Double Door Range introduces wines that are made from a mix of estate grapes and grapes brought in from neighbouring farms.
This gives us the chance to be creative and produce wines that have their own distinctive style.
Jason Steel Colombard 2021
Subtle notes of citrus, peach and apple on the nose while the palate is balanced and energetic – clean fruit, driving acidity and a nicely dry finish.
Great Heart Stellenbosch Great Heart Chardonnay 2022
Very attractive notes of lemon rind, freshly cut Golden Delicious apples and melba toast invite the senses, which are further awakened by a superb minerality, racy acidity and broad brioche-like mid-palate.
Great Heart Cabernet Franc 2021
A typical Cabernet Franc nose with delicate aromas of herbs, fynbos, Bergamot and blackberry. These follow through on the pallet which is beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and a succulent freshness. The finish is long and dry.
Great Heart Swartland Red Blend 2020
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The perfumed nose has notes of plums, mulberries, cloves and black pepper The palate is full but firm and fresh, with lovely fruit, spice and length.
The Fledge & Co Touriga Franca 2018
This wine offers a captivating blend of aromas, including all-spice, orange rind and dark fruit. On the palate, you’ll find a delightful fynbos, dark fruits and hints of all-spice. It strikes a bold and robust character while maintaining a rustic finesse.
The Fledge & Co Constantia Riesling 2021
It has a delightful aroma of mixed fruits, such as pineapple and passionfruit. On the palate there is a balance between the fruity flavours and delicate freshness that extends the finish and adds extra depth to the overall experience.
The Fledge & Co Elgin Viognier 2022
Notes of lime zest, pink grapefruit peel and the characteristic fruity essence of Riesling. The taste is centered around flavors of pineapple, peach, along with hints of almond spice. The wine finishes with a chalky texture, refreshing acidity and a satisfyingly long-lasting aftertaste that leaves your mouth feeling refreshed.
De Kleine Wijn Hoendertande Pinot Noir 2020
This wine offers a delicate and traditional earthy aroma, accompanied by the scent of sour cherries. On the palate, you’ll find flavours of raspberries, cloves and a hint of tobacco blended with herbal notes. These elements work together to enhance the wine’s fresh and juicy tannins, creating a satisfyingly long-lasting finish.
De Kleine Wijn Debutant Wit 2022
Notes of nuts and floral with hints of honeysuckle, accompanied by limey, zesty freshness on the finish. A broad-shouldered, grin-inducing wine.
De Kleine Wijn Klipkers Wit 2022
A blend of Grenache blanc, Grenache gris & Verdelho. This wine has a captivating aroma, filled with the lively and inviting scents of apricot, peach and mango. The wine feels rich and substantial on the palate, yet it maintains an elegant and refreshing finish.
Steenberg Semillon 2021
When you first smell this wine, you’ll notice delightful scents of apricot, cinnamon, pear and orange blossom. On the palate you will find flavours of quince, lime and roasted almond. The wine has a balanced and concentrated fruitiness that fills the middle of your mouth. It then expands with a rich and slightly waxy texture, accompanied by refreshing acidity that adds brightness to the overall taste.
Steenberg Nebbiolo 2018
A savoury aroma that reminds you of heirloom tomato relish. You’ll detect flavours of sour cherry, raspberry and tobacco leaf, which linger on your palate and contribute to the wine’s impressive length and persistence.
Ridgeback Chenin Blanc 2019
Expect flavours of citrus, green apple and tropical fruits, along with a refreshing acidity. It could also exhibit floral notes and a smooth, well-balanced texture.
Ridgeback Viognier 2022
Floral aromas such as honeysuckle and jasmine, along with flavours of stone fruits like apricot and peach. Rich and creamy texture with a good balance of acidity.
Steele Usana The Runaway Pinot Gris 2021
This wine is refreshing and has subtle flavours of Granny Smith apple, pear and white peach. The contact with the lees gives the wine a pleasant texture and a bit of weight on the palate, enhancing its overall enjoyment.
Thistle & Weed Nastergal 2020
A beautiful blend of Tempranillo, Alicante Bouschet, Tinta Francisca, Touriga Nacional, Souzao and Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky black with aromas of blackberry and blueberries with intense cinnamon and savoury spices, and black pepper on the nose. The palate is more-ish, brimming with berry flavours and robust tannins.
Swanepoel White Pinotage 2022
This wine is a true expression of the versatility of the iconic Pinotage grape and shows aromas of white pear and peaches with a clean, linear finish.
Swanepoel Grenache Noir 2020
This wine greets you with fragrant notes of crushed roses, wild strawberry, plums and spice. As you take a sip, you’ll discover a palate that offers smooth tannins, a rich texture and layers of complexity. The wine combines these elements to create a delightful and nuanced tasting experience.
Welgegund Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019
The aroma is complex and delightful, offering layers of candied citrus, lime, lemon, fresh peach and honeysuckle. On the palate, it feels soft and refined, revealing flavours of melons and lime. The finish is characterised by a salty minerality and a hint of nuttiness, adding depth to the overall experience.
Welgegund Old Vine Cinsault 2019
The aroma reveals enticing scents of black currant, with a subtle hint of pine needles and lavender. On the palate, it feels smooth and refined, offering flavours of black cherry, red berries and cloves. The tannins are gentle, and the fresh acidity is well integrated, contributing to a long-lasting finish.
Nativo Amarillo 2020
A blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne and made from certified organic grapes. A generously aromatic skin-contact white blend with subtle notes of dried herbs and citrus with a savoury, nutty finish.
For more information on future events visit: www.wineconcepts.co.za
Categories: Event
