KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2008
June 29, 2010
When I think about KWV - my immediate thought is “big co-op with no soul” producing mass market wines - harsh, but a reality in my mind and I suspect that of many others.
So when I was sent a bottle of KWV The Mentors Shiraz 2008 I was quite interested in the concept as a whole of The Mentors range of wines.
I think it’s an attempt by KWV to shed that big co -op image - which is a tough ask - but a noble effort nonetheless.
The whole marketing push for the Mentors Range seems to be centered around the notion of premium, climate and terrior specific wines. The wines are beautifully packaged and the supporting press docs are top notch too. I do think they could have been a little more specific on where the vineyards are though - some mention the estates, others don’t.
You can read more about The Mentors wines here - let’s move on to the wine I was given.
I opened it last night to share with me mates Dave and Custer and of course Lovely Lis. Their reaction at first sip said it all - we had a good wine on our hands.
Dark in colour and dark in fruit flavour profile. Plums, coffee, mocha. The standout for this wine is the mouthfeel - sensuous and soft velvet texture with gentle, mouth tickling tannins. Savoury finish.
The wine retails for about R250 - so it’s not cheap. It has won some prestiguous awards recently but I personally wasn’t convinced. While the official tasting note suggests “fresh red berries” I did not experience that - it had a flat note that I can’t put my finger on.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s an excellent wine that will please many (and I have a feeling the ladies in particular) - I just think that for the price point, there are other Shiraz’s from South Africa that express themselves and their terroir with more flamboyance and intrigue.
Perhaps that’s just my taste in wines though - so give the wine a go and let me know what you think.
Posted in Red Wine, Wine Reviews
July 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
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July 6th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
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