África do Sul – Avaliação das Safras de 1999 a 2009.

Seguindo com a avaliação das últimas safras pela Wine Spectator, a bola da vez é a África do Sul. Vamos passar pelo novo mundo primeiro para finalizar com o velho mundo.

In Vino Veritas!

Gustavo Kauffman (GK)

África do Sul – Avaliação das Safras de 1999 a 2009.

Vintage: 2009

Score: 91-94

Drink: NYR

Description: Following the growing season's typical heat wave, moderate temperatures and well-timed rains extended the harvest into April and May. Very consistent for reds and whites in warm inland areas and cooler coastal spots.

Vintage: 2008

Score: 84-88

Drink: NYR

Description: A late-flowering, wet spring and intermittent heat spikes during the growing season led to a challenging year. Reds and whites have lower-than-usual alcohols and lighter-bodied textures.

Vintage: 2007

Score: 88

Drink: Drink or hold

Description: Up-and-down growing season marked by a heat wave in late January. Most whites and early-ripening reds (Pinot Noir, Merlot) harvested in sweltering conditions; later-ripening reds (Syrah, Cabernet) benefited from dry, moderate second half of season.

Vintage: 2006

Score: 90

Drink: Drink

Description: Wet winter replenished vines after three dry seasons. Warm, dry growing season; consistent temperatures in second half led to even ripening. All major varieties performed well.

Vintage: 2005

Score: 93

Drink: Drink or hold

Description: Dry growing season with a hot finish. Whites were picked under cool conditions, but yields were reduced; later-ripening reds are rich, tannic and muscular.

Vintage: 2004

Score: 87

Drink: Drink

Description: Mostly cool season interrupted by a heat spike led to some uneven ripening. Those who picked Cabernet and Syrah late did well; others more variable.

Vintage: 2003

Score: 91

Drink: Drink

Description: Even flowering and a long, dry growing season; many growers feel it's the best in a generation for both reds and whites, though some reds can show a slightly roasted quality.

Vintage: 2002

Score: 84

Description: Drink Variable weather, with uneven ripening and reduced yields for whites and reds; some successes, but choose carefully.

Vintage: 2001

Score: 91

Drink: Drink

Description: Late-ripening red varieties have intense fruit, with ripe tannins; whites also good

2000 90 Drink Hot and dry conditions brought an early harvest. Reds performed well; whites more variable.

Vintage: 1999

Score: 87

Drink: Drink

Description: Very warm and dry season. Reds have ripe tannins; good whites

Note: Most South African white wines should be drunk on release.

A score range indicates preliminary analysis based on barrel samples and/or a limited sampling; many wines of the vintage not yet reviewed.

Vintage ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 85-89, very good; 80-84, good; 75-79, mediocre; 50-74, not recommended

Drinkability: "NYR" means the vintage has not yet been released; "drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the ageworthy wines have yet to fully mature; "past peak" means most of the wines are declining rather than improving.