Simon Mart, ‘Simon’s Wine
Blog’ UK “The nose full of sweet dark fruit.
Blackcurrant dominant. Elements of smoke, old oak and bramble/hedge
rows. The palate has big, bold, drying tannins with spicy fresh
black pepper. Hints of dark chocolate. This wine is fairly complex.
Great with big hearty dishes.”
Norman McFarlane, ‘Bolander’ “…speaks of perfume, rich red fruit, firm acidity and
seamlessly crafted wood.”
Kayang Gagiano,
‘Sawubona’
“The jewel in their crown”
Ingrid Motteux, ‘John Platter South African Wine Guide
2008' “Characterful, low-yielding vine-dried
shiraz … 06’s vivid red-fruit aromas brushed with fresh curry
leaves; superbly integrated oak embraces compact fruit, needing
time to reveal charms; thread acidity carries Amarone-like
finish.”
RATING * * * *
Tim James, ‘1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die’
(2008) ?“Delicacy and varietal character are
not the point with Africana … There is drama and power, but also an
austerity offsetting the hint of sweetness, with beguiling aromas
and an expanding complexity of flavours as the wine develops. As
Neil Beckett has said, while approving the conservative-radical
thrust at Solms-Delta, ‘this pungently scented and powerfully
tannic wine is unique’.”
Eban van Wyk, ‘without prejudice’ “the most unusual Shiraz I have ever tasted. This wine is
meant for interesting people who want to try something new and who
are willing to disregard preconceived ideas about what a Shiraz is
supposed to taste like. Intense with a powerful taste and will be
best enjoyed with an equally powerful meal.”
Eugene van Zyl, ‘Food & Home’ “Noteworthy”
Tom Stevenson, ‘Wine Report 2008' Ranked 1st
among the SA region’s ‘10 Most Exciting or Unusual Finds’ and 22nd
among the world’s ‘100 Most Exciting Wine Finds’ of the year - “Its
generosity and outsized proportions are beguiling, not imposing.
From Shiraz; its cranberry aromas are lifted by fresh sage, dried
fennel, touches of tobacco and wet tea leaf; the palate refreshes
with lemony acidity, agreeable tannins and a long, lingering,
sour-cherry finish. For contemplation … Lovely, pure aromas with
extremely elegant, beautifully focused fruit on the
palate.”
Angela Lloyd, ‘John Platter South African Wine Guide
2008' “Delicious and distinctive … Perfumed
wild strawberry & spice; full, flavoursome … remarkable feat of
balance.” RATING * * * *
Brendon Shaw - the cru “unforgettable wine…the rewards are
insurmountable. I could not believe how dense and rich the flavours
were - both in smell and taste. I just couldn’t stop sniffing and
sipping on this lovely wine… The wild strawberry notes were
gorgeous and so too was the little hint of mulled spice. This was
magic, a real pleasure to experience - and it’s still young - I can
only imagine that with a little maturation this is going to evolve
into a truly magnificent symphony of flavours.”
Jacqui Latimer, ‘Good Taste’ “startlingly dry smokiness and throaty whisperings of
strawberry and spice, is the ultimate seduction.”
Angela Lloyd, ‘John Platter South African Wine Guide -
2007' “exciting and flavoursome … remarkable feat of balance,
brilliant ruby clarity, subtle perfumes of wild strawberry &
spice. Extraordinary analysis … engaging personality” RATING * * *
*
Tim James, ‘grape.co.za’ “most interesting and rewarding …
beguiling nose, and an expanding complexity … generous proportions
… fine tannins and a lifting acidity … a purchase one is not likely
to regret - especially if you leave the wine to mature for the
five-plus beneficial years it deserves”. RATING 17
“somehow in a different category: a wine for sipping at the end of
a meal, with… plenty of warm thoughts – a meditation wine, (as) the
Italians call their Amarone.”
Greg Landman, ‘Country Life’ “unbelievable heights … spectacular wine … will take your
breath away … fabulously complex, packed with intense berry
flavours … A superior addition to the estate’s marvellous
range.”
Neil Beckett, ‘Icons 2007' Solms-Delta: “The most unusual wines I came across [in South
Africa]“
Africana 2005: “The most dramatic of the five [Solms-Delta] wines
made from partially or totally desiccated fruit … to which the
closest wine might be Amarone della Valpolicella or Sagrantino de
Montefalco, though this pungently scented and powerfully tannic
wine is unique.”
‘Wine Tourism News’ “An intense
nose … very smooth mouth-feel … good length”
