Cape Town, South Africa
Best Shiraz in country
After completing a tasting at Constantia Glen Winery part of
the Constantia Wine Route, I
exited, and drove down Main Road (M-41), and noticed the name of a winery that
caught my eye, at that was Eagles Nest Winery. As I saw the
name, it reminded me of Kehlsteinhaus, or The Eagles Nest, in Berchtesgaden,
Germany, and thought, “wow, this winery is named after Hitler’s House.” Based
on that, I was a little weary, but decided to look and do a tasting. The main
reason for the name is that there is a survey beacon situated on the cliffs that
rise up above the vineyard, and is labelled Eagles Nest, and is a protected
sight of Verreaux’s Black Eagles,
and Verreaux is a name of one of Eagles Nests bestselling wines next to their
world famous Shiraz. 
Constantia Glen, South Africa
World’s Top 100 Restaurants:
Follow Wine, dine, and Play:
Wine
Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
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96 – 100
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Extraordinary
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90 – 95
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Outstanding
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80 – 89
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above average
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70 – 79
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below average
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60 – 69
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poor/appalling/ “Cac”
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Review basics:
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Wines Produced
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Red: Merlot, Shiraz, and
Bordeaux Blend (aka Meritage), Summation
White: Sauvignon Blanc, Rose,
and Viognier
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Grape Blends
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit
Verdot
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Current Vintage for 2013/14
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Reds: 2008, 2009, 2010
Whites: 2011, 2012, 2013
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Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
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97/100
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Robert Parker
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93/100 on the 2010 Shiraz and 2009 Verreaux, 93 points on the Viognier
2012
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Platter’s wine guide 2014
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4.0 - 4.5 out of 5 Stars for white wines, Shiraz at 5 stars
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Region Map
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Constantia
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Regulatory
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ABV %
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13 %, 13.5%, 14%,
and 14.5%
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Barrel Types
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French oak
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Barrel Aging
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1 year to 16 months
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South
African wine Quality Standards:
Unlike some European countries, South Africa does not have
any requirements for the process of making wines in a particular region—for
instance, allowing only certain trellising methods or varietals. However, there
are certain quality requirements. For a
wine to be labeled as a particular varietal or as coming from a particular
region, estate, or vineyard, it must also not display any “unacceptable quality
characteristics,” which means the wine may not be turbid, contain excess sediment
or crystals, have faulty/insufficient color, or display undesirable flavor
characteristics. Among the several characteristics listed as unacceptable, a
wine may not be overly tannic, thin or watery, or oxidized. For a wine to be
labeled as coming from a particular area, 100% of the grapes used to make the wine
must have been grown there, and producers may only label their wines using
officially-recognized geographic areas.
In addition to designating a particular geographic unit, region,
district, or ward, a producer may also designate the wine as coming from a
particular estate or may label it as a “single vineyard wine.” However, to do so the producer must first
register the area where the grapes were grown with the Wine and Spirit
Board. Single-vineyard wines must have
been made from a single varietal that is produced in the area registered with
the board, and the area registered may be no larger than 6 hectares. Estate wines must be made entirely—including
bottling—in the registered area where the grapes were grown. Also, if a particular varietal—or “cultivar”
as the law defines it—is listed on the bottle, at least 85% of the grapes used
in making the wine must have been of that type.9 This same 85% rule applies to designating a
particular vintage year.
Cases Produced:
Per Year:
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Verreaux
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38,000
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Viognier
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8,250
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Merlot
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38,000
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Shiraz
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19,800
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Little Eagle
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380
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Sauvignon Blanc
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???
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Price chart:
$ - Under $50.00 USD
$$ - Over $50.00 USD
$$$ - Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ - Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$- Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:
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2010 Shiraz (750 ml)
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R225.00
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ZAR
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 |
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$20.64
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USD
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 |
$
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£12.36
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GBP
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 |
£
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€15.06
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EUR
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 |
€
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¥126.07
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CNY
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 |
¥¥¥
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2009 Merlot (750 ml)
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R145.00
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ZAR
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$13.30
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USD
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$
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£7.96
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GBP
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£
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€9.71
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EUR
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€
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¥81.24
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CNY
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¥¥
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2013 Little Eagle Rose (750 ml)
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R55.00
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ZAR
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$5.05
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USD
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$
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£3.02
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GBP
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£
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€3.68
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EUR
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€
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¥30.82
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CNY
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¥
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Little Eagle Red (750 ml)
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R80.00
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ZAR
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$7.34
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USD
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$
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£4.39
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GBP
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£
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€5.35
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EUR
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€
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¥44.82
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CNY
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¥
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2011 Sauvignon Blanc (750 ml)
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R75.00
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ZAR
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$6.88
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USD
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$
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£4.12
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GBP
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£
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€5.02
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EUR
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€
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¥42.02
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CNY
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¥
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2009 Verreaux (750 ml)
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R145.00
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ZAR
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$13.30
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USD
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$
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£7.96
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GBP
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£
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€9.71
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EUR
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€
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¥81.24
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CNY
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¥¥
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Visit these sites to
get up to date currency rates:
Or visit:
Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
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Vineyard Tasting
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$4.00
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Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes
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| Look at those legs |
From vineyards home page:
Eagles’ Nest is cradled in a secluded valley high up on the
slopes of the historic Constantia mountain range, which forms part of the World
Heritage Site, Table Mountain. The farm’s origins can be traced back to 1836
when it was used as a refreshment station between the area now known as Wynberg
in the east, and the harbour of Hout Bay in the west. In order to make this
journey, travelers had to cross the mountain pass, now known as Constantia
Neck.
In 1984, the 3 farm was purchased by the Mylrea family.
After devastating fires that raged through the Cape in the summer of 2000, the
farm was mostly destroyed, except for the historic buildings. Being part of the
world famous Constantia Valley, known for its award winning wines, we decided
to plant the farm with varieties that best suited the unique terroir of Eagles’
Nest.
Main review:
Pulling into the gate and up to the drive, the property was
heavily engulfed with large beautiful trees that kept the sun away on this warm
summer day. From the main tasting room, you are escorted into the backyard per
say, considering the back yard was so large that a small creek ran through it.
Dotted about in separate areas were tables and chairs for people to sit and
relax for the tastings.
Once seated, a person from the vineyard presents the food menu, tasting list, which at that time was five wines; The Sauvignon Blanc,
Merlot, Little Eagle Red Rose, or red blend, and their international award
winning Shiraz.
The Sauvignon Blanc was tropical, filled with passion fruit,
guava, and hint of green pepper capsicum. The Rose was a blend of Merlot and
Shiraz, and though I am not typically fond of Rose in general, this was a damn
good wine. The Merlot was also excellent
with hints of ginger and allspice, and of course, their Bordeaux blend the
Little Eagle Red was enjoyable if you are in the mood for a French style wine,
on a warm summer’s day.
The winner of the day for me was the 2010 Shiraz, their
flagship wine, and I can see why. Winner of two Veritas Gold awards, the Veritas awards are the longest running and most
prestigious wine awards in South Africa. It is also awarded 5 out 5 stars on
the Platters Wine award guide, the lead guide for all
South African wines. Their 2010 Shiraz was given a 93 by Robert Parker, and was rated the best in the entire country. I was
so impressed that I wanted to purchase a case on the spot to be shipped back to
the United States. To show how much I like this wine, the case if purchased for
consumption in country is around $260.00 American Dollars. I wanted it shipped
back to the states, through their American distributorship Cape Ardor, and ended up with a
total bill thanks to import and alcohol taxes of $550.00 American Dollars. You
know it is a good wine when I am willing to pay nearly a 300% markup for it.
The bad part is that I ordered the wine on 5 December 2013,
and as of 20 February 2014, when this article was published; I still have not
had it shipped to me by Cape Ardor. It arrived in San Francisco back at the end
of January, but here I am craving Eagles Nest Shiraz, and my wine is sitting in
San Francisco. They say they do not want to ship it because of the cold
weather. Well since they told me that, I have received two separate wine
shipments from Napa Valley, which is just north of
San Francisco, and they had no problems with the cold weather, so hello Cape
Ardor, where is my wine?
As an American visiting South Africa, the tastings in both
Constantia and Stellenbosch were an experience within themselves, much
different to the tastings in Napa and Sonoma,
California. Most tastings in California, Washington State, New York, and Oregon
starts at $25.00-$40.00, so when I found out the cost for the tastings in South
Africa I was shocked. The average is $4.00-$6.00, Eagles Nest being $4.00
(ZAR40.00). This was a wonderful experience, and I still had a few tastings to
go before eating dinner eating at La Colombe, in Constantia.
This or these wines remind me
of:
The property was astonishing, close to the main roads, but
it had a sense of being away from it all, just like my experience at the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
in Napa, California. Their wines were all outstanding, but for me the Shiraz
was the best, I had not had a wine that good since drinking Hoopes
by the Napa Wine Company when I did a
tasting with them in 2013.
Bouquet
& Palette:
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Wine & Grape:
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Nose:
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Palette Experience:
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Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon., Cabernet
franc, and Petit Verdot. textured array of gorgeous ripe berry fruit,
complemented with dark chocolate nuances and a linear crushed pepper
component that is a unique to the grapes from these slopes
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Dark berry fruit of the nose is carried through to the
taste buds and they combine harmoniously to give a rewarding taste
sensation. Flavors are supported by
ripe juicy tannins, which leave a long silky-smooth finish. This wine is ready to drink now and will
improve with correct cellaring up to 2020
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Textured array of gorgeous ripe berry fruit, complemented
with dark chocolate nuances and a linear crushed pepper component.
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On the palate, the delicious dark berry fruit of the nose
is carried through to the taste buds and they combine harmoniously to give a
rewarding taste sensation. The wine is
well rounded to the point of being velvety. Drink till 2020
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Prominent pepper tones are complemented with black cherry
fruit and subtle violets. These primary aromas are lovingly enveloped by
hints of rich cured meat like aromas, which derive from the wine’s maturation
in barrel.
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On the palate, one realizes the integration of all flavors
and aromas, with crushed pepper and black berry fruits remaining the driving
force. Soft, integrated tannins and a structured mid palate hold true and
follow through to an extended mouth coating after taste.
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The nose explodes into an array of black berry fruit,
raspberries, and red cherries; The underlying spiciness, which is typical of
cool climate grapes, pushes through the fruit quite powerfully.
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On the palate, the wine enters with
the fruit profile of the nose carrying through to the taste buds. Plenty of
ripe red and blackberries coupled with the spiciness entice the tongue. The
wine is well rounded to the point of being velvety. Flavors carry through
supported by elegant ripe soft tannins, which give a long and lingering
finish. This wine is ready to drink now or can be cellar ed until 2019.
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This wine exhibits a beautiful clear, almost platinum hue.
The nose shows primary Sauvignon Blanc fruit aromas of passion fruit,
pineapples and guavas.
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The palate is fresh, with a lively acidity and the
tropical fruit aromas carrying through. The soft, elegant mouth-feel and
focused acidity suggest this wine will be ideally paired with sushi, grilled
fish and shellfish. Enjoy now or to 2015.
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Vineyard Owner:
XXX
Viticulturist:
XXX
Winemaker:
XXX
Tasting room address:
Old Constantia Main Rd
Cape Town 7806
South Africa
GPS Coordinates:
S34deg 0’54.2″ E018deg 24’54.3″
Cross streets:
Hout Bay Road & Belair Drive
Contact Information:
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Tasting
room:
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+27
21 683 0487
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Fax:
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+27
21 794 7113
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Website:
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Email:
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Monday - Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)
Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE) in San Francisco 2013
Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:
