I look forward to wine tastings, and the recent invite to enjoy a selection of South African wines from @twentythree, J Wray & Nephew’s premium facility for events, was no exception.

Approximately 18 guests enjoyed seven wines from KWV brands Golden Kaan and Cathedral Cellars presented by Judy Douglas, JWN Academy trainer.

Initially founded in 1918 to represent the interests of the South African wine farmer, KWV is one of the leading wine and spirits producers in South Africa. Its head office is located in Paarl, in the Western Cape region, one of the country’s top wine-producing regions.

KWV is known internationally for other brands such as Roodeberg, KWV wines, Laborie, Café Culture, Wild Africa Cream and the KWV 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20-year-old brandies. KWV is owned by producers and employees.

The tasting commenced with Golden Kaan Chenin Blanc 2012. This fresh and lively Chenin Blanc showed aromas of melon, floral and tropical aromas on the nose. The soft and juicy palate displayed some tropical and guava flavours that flowed into a lingering and seamless finish. The rest of the wines on the tasting menu were all red wines.

The 2013 Golden Kaan Merlot followed — a supple and elegant wine showing intense blackberries, plums and a touch of spice on the nose makes this a truly inviting wine.

The palate, which is bursting with fruit and subtle oak flavours, ensures a well-rounded and smooth experience. It was certainly my personal favourite.

Following the Merlot was the 2009 Cathedral Cellar Shiraz — an intense velvet red, this wine displays upfront red berries with touches of spice. On the palate the wine is concentrated, with generous fruit and a soft structure with integrated, savoury tannins. The wine has a fresh, clean and lingering finish.

The Cabs

A side-by-side tasting of the pair of Cabs — the 2013 Golden Kaan Cabernet Sauvignon with intense ripe red fruit aromas, cassis and vanilla notes. The palate is juicy, soft and concentrated with fruit flavour and soft oak nuances. This wine is medium-bodied, with good structure and a lingering, fruity finish. And the 2009 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied wine with an explosion of cassis aromas, black cherry and plum complemented by a touch of cedar and spice. The palate is fruity and generous with velvety tannins, good structure and balance. The aftertaste is long and fruity.

The South African Signature — Pinotage

Pinotage is a uniquely South African grape variety. It was “created” by Abraham Izak Perold, the first professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University in an attempt to combine the best qualities of the robust Hermitage (known in France as Cinsaut) with Pinot noir.

The name Pinotage is a little bit misleading because it sounds so much like Pinot Noir. It is easy to assume they taste alike. Not so! In fact, the South African grape looks and tastes more like Shiraz, even though Pinotage is technically related to Pinot Noir.

South African wine makers have struggled with making great Pinotage for many years as it took them a while to figure out how best to work with this grape. Very good Pinotage is dense in colour and bold in flavour, with notes of plum sauce, tobacco, blackberry, tar and liquorice. Two great examples of Pinotage were poured.

Golden Kaan Pinotage 2013 — This vibrant and fresh Pinotage has upfront strawberry, cherry and blueberry aromas with subtle hints of vanilla. A medium-bodied wine, which is soft and juicy on the palate, with a well-integrated tannin structure and a lingering finish.

Cathedral Cellar Pinotage 2012 — Elegant and modern-styled, the Pinotage shows aromas of berries, plums and sweet fruit with hints of black pepper and cedary oak on the nose. The palate is silky smooth and displays a perfect integration of oak and fruit. Grippy tannins offer the perfect structure to this juicy and vibrant wine, contributing to the lingering finish.

With the wines came savoury treats from chef/patron Brian Lumley of 689 by Brian Lumley. Invited guests were kept engaged throughout the presentations as they were asked to open bottles and pour, etc. Indeed all are ready for the next tasting event at the Bar @twentythree.

Christopher Reckord — Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Instagram: @chrisreckord Twitter: @Reckord