Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

We are stopping for a glass at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town after a day touring the nicer parts of coastal Cape Town as shown in the photos. It’s beautiful but, can’t wait to get to Stellenbosch tomorrow.

Newton Johnson is one of good SA producers in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus, which is SE about an hour and forty minutes from Cape Town.

The nose reminds me of Sonoma Chardonnay without being hammered by new oak. Green apple, lime edging towards candy, pineapple, green melon, blended tropical fruit mix, white peach, butter but, not overdone, honeysuckle, light herbaceous notes, touch of saline, beautiful soft chalkiness, limestone minerals, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies & spring flowers.

The body is full, heavy and waxy. It’s rich. It also has a sense of tannins. The fruits are nicely ripened. Green apple, lime edging towards candy, pineapple, green melon, blended tropical fruit mix, white peach, vanilla, butter but, not overdone, honeysuckle, light herbaceous notes, touch of saline, beautiful soft chalkiness, palate penetrating volcanic minerals, limestone, some flinty notes, fruit blossoms, yellow lilies & spring flowers. The acidity is quite perfect. The finish is the definition of; rich, lush, elegant and well balanced. It’s persists for two to three minutes. Really nice! Also, appreciate the 13% ABV.

Photos of, The Mountains surrounding Camps Bay, the Waterfront area and the bar in the Cape Grace Hotel. — 7 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.0

I drank this on a boat anchored in Emerald bay. This tasted like the boat smelled, like a brand new luxury hotel. It was extremely sophisticated. Laughably so. Will rate this again next time I have it. — 9 years ago

Wayne Fowler

9.5

Delightfully fresh, light and zesty. — 10 years ago

Albert Phelps

8.9

After a few minutes, opens up to a very smooth wine — 11 years ago

Tim Mustill

9.4

Excellent wine, so very different to the usual CB. It's like what Te Koko is to Cloudy Bay SB. — 11 years ago

Ged121

9.4

The WA coastal farewell in Coral Bay. Celebrating in style tonight however we have been struck with a first world problem of worst kind... No flutes. Oh well, we still loved it! — 11 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.4

Today was a good, productive day. Some good reading, writing and a brisk run, topped off with a glass of amber wine.

The color a sap like emerald orange. A bouquet of forest mist and sea fog. Melon and raspberries.

A surprisingly welcome balance of lush, bursting fruit up front finished with a dry, tart slight astringent quality.

Mystifying color and glint, subtle, natural bouquet, well-balanced and surprising drinking experience.

Apricots. That’s what I’m missing. A punch of apricots right in the middle. — 7 years ago

Brian S

9.3

Juniper, bay laurel, Douglass for, Saigon cinnamon, coriander, Angelica root, orris root, coastal sage and fennel. — 9 years ago

Michelle Montz

9.4

Emerald Bay — 9 years ago

with darcy

Peter Coulthard

9.1

Blackcurrant and cinnamon. Very nice. — 10 years ago

Jasmine Herring

9.0

I'm not a Chardonnay drinker but I loved this. — 11 years ago

Jason Westerberg

9.3

Delicious Merlot. One of my favorite coastal wines! — 11 years ago

Anton Ray

9.6

Very good — 12 years ago

Bill Bender

9.5

Fabulous earthy, bruised plum Clinton era North CA coastal tastiness. — 8 years ago

Rodianne Formosa

9.0

@Keith Galdies :) fifi — 9 years ago

with Keith

Rufus King

9.5

Engagement party red; Back Bay wine tour, both times at Legal Seafood — 10 years ago

Lee Lightfoot

9.2

Fantastic high toned lush coastal Pinot that is absolutely delicious now but would benefit from another 4-5 years of age. — 10 years ago

Ashley Ponce

9.0

Nice white — 11 years ago

Ged121

8.9

The WA coastal farewell at Coral Bay with this speccy sem from '99. A great accompaniment to our sundowners tonight! — 11 years ago

Stefan Aichner

9.7

fabulous cab franc? — 13 years ago