The Auswine Forum

Not sure what the cause is but I have recently had a compelling urge to look into South African wines. Does anyone know of any locations in or around Sydney that might stock a half decent range? Ultimo appears to have around 5-6 wines in total from SAf, and that's probably the largest range I have seen.

Try these guys...

'Africape wines'. Importers of SA wines to Oz.

Run a search in google...for some reason I can't post links still.

Had a great time tasting their wines... from what I recall:

Leopards Leap Pinotage: Strong, earthy and heavy wine. My kind of styles, very enjoyable. You can find this at Dan Murphy's for about $25

Beyerskloof Pinotage: Similar to the Leopards Leap.

Kanonkop: I tired the 01 Cab sauv, beautiful drop...wonderfully smooth with well balanced flavours.

Diemersfontein: This was one of the most unusual wines i've ever had. Very strong coffee/mocha and chocolate flavours. Certainly different, don't know if I could go through a whole bottle.

Sorry for my terrible TNs was a hazy night at best and i'm not well versed in the style of writing TNs yet!

Alternatively...there is an importer called South African Wines based in Victoria. They supply direct to the public. Google them and you will find them.

Eurocentric bring in the Dombeya range from Sth Af. They are good quality, well priced wines, and with freight and rapacious Aussie tax system, I don't know they do it for the money. Worth a look IMO.

Wizz wrote:Eurocentric bring in the Dombeya range from Sth Af. They are good quality, well priced wines, and with freight and rapacious Aussie tax system, I don't know they do it for the money. Worth a look IMO.

tried the 2005 DOMBEYA Samara Cab/merlot at ARIA ($80 i think).. was pleasantly surprised, well worth the retail cost of this wine which is around $36.
c

Yes. It's to do with the Africape bloke. Has Kanonkop, Meerlust, Rust en Vrede etc etc. Fairly wide dist. around independents. North Sydney has them. Had the 04 Meerlust Rubicon the other day. Good wine. Most SA reds have a distinctive taste....
The Dombeya wines good too - Boulder Rd Shiraz. The Samara is about $30 RRP from memory.
GW

odyssey wrote:Not sure what the cause is but I have recently had a compelling urge to look into South African wines. Does anyone know of any locations in or around Sydney that might stock a half decent range? Ultimo appears to have around 5-6 wines in total from SAf, and that's probably the largest range I have seen.

Aside from the usual suspects, if you have South African product outlets, they may carry a range of wines. There are shops in NZ called 'The South Africa Kaffee' which has food, wine, beer, liqueurs, clothing and other paraphernalia including souvenir-like items. Not the first place I would have gone looking for wine but these outlets in NZ are operated by South Africans who have a penchant for products for their homeland.
Maybe there is something similar in Aus.

Chi wrote:
Diemersfontein: This was one of the most unusual wines I've ever had. Very strong coffee/mocha and chocolate flavours. Certainly different, don't know if I could go through a whole bottle.

This is Pinotage and made to appeal to the masses and certainly drinkable if you are in the right mood. I had a bottle of the 2007 vintage and while it seemed 'sweet' to start, it definitely finished dry with a spicy kick.
When I first tasted it - blind - I had no idea what it was. Evidently has a bit of a cult following and now copycat wines are being made.

Wish someone would bring it in NZ.

Cheers,
Sue

Great thanks for all the tips... Eurocentric's distributors - North Sydney sounds good for a look (although their website returns no search results when choosing SAf as the country...)

No SAf stores in Sydney that stock wine I think... One out of Adelaide.

Prefer not to buy online (mixed dozens etc) if I haven't tasted the wine. I've been burnt that way already and won't be revisiting the experience soon!

[quote="odyssey"]Great thanks for all the tips... Eurocentric's distributors - North Sydney sounds good for a look (although their website returns no search results when choosing SAf as the country...)

[quote]

They have at least 10 different ones in store.
GW

odyssey wrote:Not sure what the cause is but I have recently had a compelling urge to look into South African wines. Does anyone know of any locations in or around Sydney that might stock a half decent range? Ultimo appears to have around 5-6 wines in total from SAf, and that's probably the largest range I have seen.

There's a South African butcher shop (!) in Chatswood (Springbok Delights on Mowbray Rd) which has branched into general South African groceries, and also wines. They are mostly the mainstream wines Gary mentioned, but there's quite a number of them. You could certainly make up a case or two and not duplicate anything...
cheers,
Graeme

Those retailers stocking Dombeya in Sydney include North Sydney Cellars, Ultimo Wine Centre, Wine Culture in Roseville, Best Cellars, Cremorne Cellars and Annandale Cellars.

Restaurants include Becasse and Aria, and North Sydney had the Samara Bordeaux blend on by the glass in their cafe.

Ultimo served the 06 Dombeya Shiraz blind at the Clonakilla-Cuilleron dinner at Bentley last night. I took one sip and said "wine of the night". Then during options, 95% of people chose "northern hemisphere" for the first option, thinking it was a Cote Rotie (me included). Second option of "Africa, Australasia or South America" eliminated all but one.

Some SA wines have a reputation for mercaptans (burnt rubber). Some er, people, have said the Dombeya had a bit of brett "but nice brett". The lab analysis proves there is none. It's a little meaty from a touch of mourvedre. I didn't recognise the wine last night, which was embarrassing, but at least I loved it.

Can't say too much, but expect some good publicity for Dombeya in the near future.

Don't know many of the other producers but Americans are snapping up estates left, right and centre and their best years are probably ahead of them.

Eurocentric wrote:Those retailers stocking Dombeya in Sydney include North Sydney Cellars, Ultimo Wine Centre, Wine Culture in Roseville, Best Cellars, Cremorne Cellars and Annandale Cellars.

Restaurants include Becasse and Aria, and North Sydney had the Samara Bordeaux blend on by the glass in their cafe.

Ultimo served the 06 Dombeya Shiraz blind at the Clonakilla-Cuilleron dinner at Bentley last night. I took one sip and said "wine of the night". Then during options, 95% of people chose "northern hemisphere" for the first option, thinking it was a Cote Rotie (me included). Second option of "Africa, Australasia or South America" eliminated all but one.

Some SA wines have a reputation for mercaptans (burnt rubber). Some er, people, have said the Dombeya had a bit of brett "but nice brett". The lab analysis proves there is none. It's a little meaty from a touch of mourvedre. I didn't recognise the wine last night, which was embarrassing, but at least I loved it.

Can't say too much, but expect some good publicity for Dombeya in the near future.

Don't know many of the other producers but Americans are snapping up estates left, right and centre and their best years are probably ahead of them.

Gosh!

I like the products you bring in but surely you forgot to mention that this post is an advertisement and that you obtain income from sale of this product?

cheers

Carl

Sorry, I thought that was pretty obvious since someone had mentioned earlier that I import Dombeya.

I can delete it if people think there is no worthwhile information in the post.

Eurocentric wrote:Sorry, I thought that was pretty obvious since someone had mentioned earlier that I import Dombeya.

I can delete it if people think there is no worthwhile information in the post.

just put a disclaimer as your signature eg " importer of fine wine such as: schloss leiser, dupot, Willi schaf, etc.."

c

PS: how was the clonakilla SV 08?

Clonakilla SV 08 is lovely. Also liked the O'Riada very much, and the riesling. Didn't like the Hilltops or the Viognier.

How about this?

Eurocentric wrote:How about this?

NB: I import wine from 40 boutique producers in France, Germany, NZ and SA. You may think my opinions are biased As opinions are

hehe

Now for your punishment you are to offer (& open) some very nice wine at the truffle marathon this weekend!! mmm truffles!
c

Thanks again for all the assistance! Now for the hard part (receiving special dispensation to buy some )...

PS Truffle marathon??

Eurocentric wrote:How about this?

NB: I import wine from 40 boutique producers in France, Germany, NZ and SA. You may think my opinions are biased As opinions are

Perfect

Thanks!

Carl

Hello Folks.
I came across this string while searching the internet and I noticed that we had a plug from "Anonymous" last year. I'm one half of "South African Wines" based in Victoria, so please excuse me if I am a little commercial. G'day Eurocentric...nice wines, good website, love your work. Odyssey...you can buy online through us www.southafricanwines.com.au ,mix and match as you see fit. If you need some recommendations for a great South African wine experience, contact us, we'd be delighted to help. Other than that, James Halliday gave 3 of our wines a good review in The Australian last weekend (05-06-10) www.theaustralian.com.au/news/executive ... 5875414870 .We've put together a 3-pack of the wines, available through the South African Wines website.
Cheers!
Dane.

Hi guys, my wife is from RSA so we go there a fair bit. Best range I have had are Dombeya by a mile. Great wines for the price. The winemaker is a lovely lady too. Expect great things from this producer.

Cheers
Franco

Franco wrote:Hi guys, my wife is from RSA so we go there a fair bit. Best range I have had are Dombeya by a mile. Great wines for the price. The winemaker is a lovely lady too. Expect great things from this producer.

Cheers
Franco

I really liked the Dombeya Bordeaux blend Neville presented with all those rieslings & other goodies last year - very keenly priced too as you say.

Cheers,
Ian

Good afternoon all,I am a partner in Africape wines in Australia ( a number of our wines have been mentioned) and will be available for tasting at the Good food and wines shows in Perth,Sydney and Brisbane .
Please come along and taste some great South African wines for those who have not tried them before.
Vistit our site at http://www.africapewines.com.au and you will find some classic South African wines which are available in various retailers throughout Australia.
On the site there is a store locator for your convenience however If your requirement is online then send me a mail and we will assist you with that.
Cheers
Stephen

Met the Africape wine guys at the Melbourne Good food and wine show and were blown away with the fantastic quality of their South African wines! Their knowledge and understanding of South African wines was vast and had a really great experience at their stand. I would highly recommend them if you are looking for a certain wine and unable to get it.
Tried the much talked about Diemersfontein Pinotage and WOW!