GETTING CLOSE TO A PERFECT CIRCLE (NOT THE BAND BUT THE BARREL TOP): CAPE CLASSICS LAYS SIEGE TO THE BARREL

Tuesday is usually not a day we entertain reps around here – lots of moving product around and getting the stores restocked after a busy weekend, but we had a few reps with some special wines to present to us, starting with good friend and Bryant wine manager Jimmy C., who had Zingo, our Cape Classics rep hailing from North Cackalackey. 14 wines in all – I was sensing a nap in my near future.

Excelsior Chardonnay South Africa 2008. Grade=Outstanding. A nice entry-level Chard and a great intro to those unfamiliar with SA wines, this light-bodied Chard has a lot of crisp tropical notes and ripe stone fruit flavors.

Glenelly Chardonnay Stellenbosch 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Brand new to their portfolio, this is a rich, medium-to-full-bodied Chard with creamy apple, pear and tangerine notes, a hint of pineapple, butterscotch, and crème fraiche. A great value!

Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc Stellenbosch 2008. Grade=Outstanding-. Though a bit long in the tooth, it actually holds up, revealing decent acidity and notes of grapefruit, guava and lemon verbena.

Kanu Chenin Blanc South Africa 2009. Grade=Outstanding. A surprisingly good, well-balanced CB with textures of baked pear, ripe melon, crème fraiche and toasted nuts. A splash of baking spices and lime zest add complexity.

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2009. Grade=Outstanding+. Amazing CB that sees some oak aging for multilayered displays of stone fruit, marscapone, creamy vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, cumin and Key lime. Delicious.

Mulderbosch Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. Grade=Outstanding+. One of our favorite blushes, this medium-bodied pink wine has tons of strawberry, red raspberry and ripe watermelon notes, a bit of spice and white pepper, and finishes with some mineral undertones. A great value!

Indaba Merlot South Africa 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Another big surprise, this medium-bodied red has a lot of juicy red and purple fruit characteristics, some nice spices, a hint of wet stones, earth and violets. Great buy!

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa 2008. Grade=Outstanding. I was told this is the #1 selling SA wine in the States. I can see why – it is a straightforward, no-nonsense Cab with soft tannins, juicy red and black berry fruit, and a satisfying finish.

Excelsior Shiraz South Africa 2007. Grade=Outstanding. A nice, robust red with some zesty peppery red cherry and red currant notes, some splashes of olives, roasted meat, dried herbs and blueberries.

De Morgenzon DMZ Shiraz Western Cape 2008. Grade=Outstanding+. Yet another surprise – this is a sexy, inexpensive Shiraz that explodes with jammy raspberries and cherries, fresh-baked rhubarb pie, black tea, white pepper, baked earth, truffles, cinnamon stick and a lot more. Kicks serious ass!

Rudi Schultz Shiraz Stellebosch 2006. Grade=Amazing. A powerful homage to Northern Rhone, this full-bodied Shiraz is leathery, earthy and full of red and purple fruit swagger. Jammy and juicy with undertones of blueberry compote, cherry pie, mocha and various herbs, teas and spices. A real rock star.

Glenelly Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2008. Grade=Amazing. Incredible new wine to the lineup, this Bordeaux themed red accentuates notes of black currant, tar, tobacco leaf, cocoa, chicory, espresso, mint, petrol and blackberries. Big and bold with loads of dark plum and creamy oak on the finish.

Glenelly Grand Vin de Stellenbosch 2007. Grade=Amazing. A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this juggernaut red is massive, steeped with silky tannins drenched in black and red fruits, baking spices, cedar, mint, chocolate and coffee bean. Its rich, concentrated and elaborately layered for a mindblowing display of SA winemaking prowess. A tour-de-force!

Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz South Africa 2009. Grade=Outstanding. A semi-dry red built exclusively for the masses, this juicy Shiraz has a lot of sweet spices, chocolate covered cherries, red and black raspberries and hints of cinnamon stick and white pepper.