Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The 2017 Grenache is made 30% in concrete egg and 70% in used oak.

The nose reveals; spicy, red & blue fruits. Beautiful, ripe fruit with very pronounced beautiful florals. Leaner blackberries, sour dark cherries, blue fruits, strawberries, dark, rich soils, dry crushed granite soils, vanillin notes with bright, strong red and blue florals.

The body is lean for Grenache. It’s starts with bright red & blue fruits and slides into dark, medium intensity spices. Lean and almost burgundy in style. Blackberries, sour dark cherries, blue fruits, strawberries, dark, rich soils, dry crushed granite soils, vanillin notes with bright, strong red and blue florals. The acidity is magnificent. The finish is very well balanced, ripe and polished.

Photos of; the entrance to Waterford, fireplace in their tasting room, stainless steel tanks hanging from the ceiling with walkways (saves some money of not building a complete floor while maintaining gravity flow) and their numerous olive trees. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

@Delectable Wine this is the 2017 Waterford Estate Cape Winemakers Guild ‘1988 Kept Aside’ Chardonnay.

Our first time every at the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction and we will make sure to come back! (Tasting was on 9/28/18).

Eighth wine at the Friday Auction Tasting for the Cape Winemakers Guild and sixth still white wine. This is made up of 100% Chardonnay by Kevin Arnold from Stellenbosch. Aged for a total of eleven months on the lees with no malolactic fermentation. Only 50 cases produced with 36 being auctioned in 2018. Sadly this was Kevin's last year as a member of the Guild as he has decided to retire.

Light greenish yellow in appearance, seeming insanely young. Creamy nose with some light butter, green tree fruits, and some citrus zest. Medium acidity (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Rich and creamy mouthfeel with some light butterscotch, overripe green apples, peaches and minerality on the back end. Medium plus finish. Drink till 2024.

$$ - Tasted at the Cape Winemakers Auction. Average bid at auction was R3,422.00 ($40.30 a bottle) a case. Highest bid was R4,200.00 ($49.46 a bottle) and lowest bid was R3,000.00 ($35.33 a bottle).

#waterfordestate #chardonnay #stellenbosch
#southafrica #cwgauction #cwg #whitewine
— 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Second white wine on the wine drive at Waterford. Light greenish yellow. A little creamy on the nose with notes of apples and citrus fruits. Richer than the last. Solid acidity on the palate (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus body. Fresh palate with apples and citrus fruits. A touch creamy mouthfeel in the palate. Long finish. Drink till 2022.

Aged for 9 months in 24% new French oak barrels and 3,250 cases produced. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Jordan Shapiro

9.3

Delightful when sipped from Waterford crystal flutes while watching the new season of Black Mirror by the fire on New Year's Eve. — 8 years ago

Kyle Travlos

9.1

Very good cab that shows notes typical for stellenbosch wines, almost slight smoke. — 8 years ago

Amanda Upton

10

Delicious. Very bold and flavorful — 9 years ago

Tim O'Rourke

9.2

Delicious bottle of rosé Champagne. Nice depth from extended time on lees. Hard to take it seriously b/c of its ridiculous Waterford-like bottle, but don't pass this up if given the opportunity. — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is an old vine Chardo nnay from 30 year old vines. It spends 9 months in 1-3 year old used oak barrels.

The nose reveals; big butter, buttered popcorn, green apple, old lemon, lime, overripe pineapple, butterscotch, creme brûlée, caramel notes, toast with yellow lilies/flowers.

The body is full, thick and just a touch waxy. Butter, buttered popcorn, green apple, old lemon, lime, overripe pineapple, butterscotch, creme brûlée, caramel notes, honey notes, toast, nice volcanic minerality with yellow lilies/flowers. Big, round wonderful acidity and a rich, lush, well balanced finish that persists.

Photos of; their tasting patio, etched concrete egg, Estate vines and the manmade pond on the property for aesthetics and reserve water vine irrigation. — 6 years ago

Nikee G

9.2

Very smooth and balanced. It goes very well with beef — 7 years ago

Steve S

9.3

That Friday night at Waterford with Alan, Marie, and Chris W. A night for the books. Chilled in the snow! — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

@Delectable Wine this is the Waterford Estate The Library Collection Edition: Grenache Blanc

Last wine to try at the Waterford Estate. Light pale yellow. Light and refreshing nose with white flowers, citrus fruits and melon. Medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and light bodied. Light and fruity on the palate with lots of tropical notes. Medium plus acidity. Drink till 2020. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

@Delectable Wine this is the 2009 Waterford Estate Méthode Cap Classique Brut

Quick little bit of MCC after our Reserve Tasting and before our Waterford Drive with Justin and Dan.

Medium to deep golden yellow. Toast and creamy nose with notes of butter, brioche and apricot. Creamy and balanced on the palate with medium plus acidity (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus body. Notes of apples, apricots and crushed rocks on the palate. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2024.

All aged in stainless steel and aged for 6.5 years on the lees. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Rochelle

9.7

Haven't had prisoner in a while finally amazing love it! Nothing better then the prisoner and Waterford crystal glass and the Buffalo Bills win ( had to throw that in) what an amazing 🍷 big body long finish great big flavor and jammy sharp tannins, a little juicy and definitely a favorite again! — 9 years ago

Ray S

9.1

Drinking on the Zambezi River and this tastes a bit more special. Also happens to be one of our favorite SA wineries. — 7 years ago

Kyle Harvey

9.0

Leathery ripe red fruits with some nervy pepper notes. Good effort! — 7 years ago

David L

9.4

12’ Archery Summit Arcus Estate.

Drinking it out of an old Robert Mondavi Waterford Pinot Noir glass. Had to of purchased it over 20 years ago. Had two, broke one. Now it’s Zalto Burg glasses. Getting old!

Wasn’t showing as well or year ago. A short 20 minute decanting & it’s ready!

Color Dark ruby(through to the edge)
Palate-Glowing core of black currant, plum, floral notes. Structured acidity to the bitter end. Excellent depth & a long finish . 10 great years in it. — 8 years ago

Jo Anne B

9.4

Fine bubbles in beautiful antique Waterford crystal that’s been in the family. Crisp apple, apricot, pear. — 8 years ago

with Turd, Dave and 1 other

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

First white wine on the wine drive with Justin and Dan. Light greenish yellow, surprising for its age. Lots of citrus notes like lime and some granite on the nose. Heavy acidity (7/10) with a light plus body and well balanced. Tangy palate with citrus notes and a long mineral finish. Drink till 2020.

Made up of 100% Sauvignon Blanc and aged for 10 months in the lees. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Rob Mayes

9.0

Lots of ocean air minerality and oyster shell. Sweet spice. Bit sweeter than I would like but nice componentry. — 8 years ago

Juha Loponen

9.0

Kypsän herukkainen tuoksu viestii melko täyteläisestä viinistä. Maku seuraa tuoksua, mutta on hengeltään maltillisempi ja mineraalinen. Suutuntuma on täyteläinen, sopivan hapokas ja kypsän hedelmäinen. Erittäin hyvä SB; ei ylisuuri ominaisuuksiltaan vaan kaikki hienosti tasapainossa. — 10 years ago