Wine Dine and Play: Ken Forrester Wines

Ken Forrester Wines



Stellenbosch, South Africa
A focus on Rhône instead of Bordeaux…nice
It was my fifth day in country touring South Africa, and my second day dedicated to wine tasting, first in Constantia and now Stellenbosch. In Constantia, I did a self-driving tour as I went from vineyard to vineyard, and by the end of the day did not feel like doing anymore driving, so when it came to Stellenbosch, I got smart and hired a wine guide. For two main reasons, the guide would drive, a guide could get me into more wineries, and I could learn more about the region by discussing it with an expert. I hired Stephen Flesch owner of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa. I discovered Stephen after reading a book on South African tourism in the wine section and saw that he had been recommended in the book by Frommer’s. Therefore, for R 1,900.00 per person for a build your own style tour, Stephen picked me up in Cape Town and we were off to the next Stellenbosch winery tasting at Ken Forrester Winery.

 http://www.gourmetwinetours.co.za/


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Wine Dine and Play’s ratings for wine:
96 – 100
Extraordinary  
90 – 95
Outstanding 
80 – 89
above average    
70 – 79
below average                         
60 – 69
poor/appalling/ “Cac”
Review basics:
Wine, Dine, & Play’s Rating
84/100  
Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
87/100  on Petit Pinotage 2010, 89 points on Petit Chenin Blanc 2010, & 90 points on Petit Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2012
93 points on the Gypsy 2007
Wine Spectator
88/100  Petit Chenin Blanc 2010
3.0 to 3.5 of 5 points on multiple wines
4.0 to 4.5 on the reds
Wines Produced
Red: Heritage, Meritage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Grenache, Shiraz, Rhône Blend, Mourvedre, Cab/Merlot Blend
White: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Rose
Grape Blends
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc
White: Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon or Muscadelle du Bordelais
Current Vintage for 2014
Reds: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
Whites: 2011, 2012, 2013
Region Map

Stellenbosch
 
Regulatory
ABV %
13 to 15% depending on the wine
Barrel Types
French oak, 20% new
Barrel Aging
9 to 24 months
                       
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. This same 85% rule applies to designating a particular vintage year.

Cases Produced:                                          
Per Year:
                                                                                               
Petit Chenin Blanc 2013

KF Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011

The Three Halves 2007

The FMC 2011

The Gypsy 2010

                       
Price chart:
$ -                    Under $50.00 USD
$$ -                  Over   $50.00 USD
$$$ -                Over $100.00 USD
$$$$ -              Over $200.00 USD
$$$$$-             Over $400.00 USD
Bottle prices:

Wine Selction:
Currency:
Country:
Price Chart :
Petit Chenin Blanc 2013 (750 ml)



R40.00
ZAR

$3.62
USD
$
£2.17
GBP
£
€2.64
EUR
¥22.17
CNY 
¥
KF Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2011 (750 ml) 



R75.00
ZAR

$6.79
USD
$
£4.08
GBP
£
€4.96
EUR
¥41.57
CNY 
¥
The Three Halves 2007 (750 ml)



R195.00
ZAR

$17.67
USD
$
£10.60
GBP
£
€12.89
EUR
¥108.07
CNY 
¥¥¥
The FMC 2011(750 ml)



R325.00
ZAR

$29.44
USD
$
£17.67
GBP
£
€21.48
EUR
¥180.12
CNY 
¥¥¥
The Gypsy 2010 (750 ml)



R325.00
ZAR

$29.44
USD
$
£17.67
GBP
£
€21.48
EUR
¥180.12
CNY 
¥¥¥

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Cost of wine tasting in USD (p/p):
8 wine tasting Flight:
$3.00
11 wine tasting flight:
$5.00

                                                                       
Scroll down below to the main review to read the tasting notes

From vineyards home page:
Situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, in the heart of South Africa's most famous wine region Stellenbosch, our vineyards are commonly referred to as the Home of Chenin Blanc and other premium award-winning wines. Over the years, our range of top quality wines has received massive national and international acclaim with literally hundreds of awards and accolades over the last 20 years and are broadly available in reputable restaurants and exported around the globe. Ken Forrester’s philosophy has always been to create a range of handcrafted, individually made wines that suitably complement a wide variety of food styles and provide excellent value. Member of:
http://www.piwosa.com/

Main review:
Stephen Flesch of Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa had picked me up in Cape Town, and we continued our wine tour stopping first at Meerlust Winery, and now Ken Forrester. We sat in a patio area with tables and umbrellas to protect us from the sun. It was a muggy hot day, and you could defiantly tell the difference in temperatures from Cape Town to Stellenbosch. I enjoyed five varieties from three tasting ranges, the petit, the Ken Forrester Range of wines, and the Icon Range, starting the Petit Chenin Blanc with lots of vibrant fresh fruit flavors, but no bight unfortunately. The second tasting was the Reserve Chenin Blanc, which had a little more structure and body, but really, to me I could not tell much difference in the two.

The next three tastings were of the Icon Range, which by far were the best wines I tasted from Ken Forrester Vineyard that day, beginning with a Rhône style blend called The Three Halves, a very classical style blend with great up front fruit flavors, that lingered for several minutes on the palate, very nice. The next tasting was a white called the FMC, a very deep and rich flavored Chenin Blanc. Unlike the first two tasting, this wine impressed me, and was a toss-up for my favorite tasting of the day with The Three Halves. There was a good amount of honey on this wine, with for me a hint or nectarine and avocado mixed with the apricot flavor. This is a perfect cheese platter wine or would go good with Mexican Food, not Tex-Mex, but the real deal, and can handle the spice. The Gypsy, which was the final tasting of the day, was a Grenache and Shiraz blend. From earlier vineyard tastings and wine paired with tasting menus at different Cape Town Restaurants such as Aubergine, and The Test Kitchen, I could see that Shiraz was the main grape of South Africa besides the iconic Meritage style Bordeaux blends. However, Ken Forrester was one of the few vineyards I tasted that focused on the Rhône blends of France instead of Bordeaux, which was a bonus for me since I prefer Rhône to Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Now because I was part of a tour, the tastings were included in the overall price for each winery that day. 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 $3.00-$6.00, Ken Forrester being $3.00 (ZAR30.00). The best was yet to come because at the end of the day after the wine tastings, I had reservations at The Tasting room at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek, the#53 rated restaurant in the top 100 list in the worlds best restaurants.
 
This or these wines remind me of:
I love the Rhône, and almost all Rhône style blends whether they are from the Cotes du Rhône region or grown in the New World regions. To me Ken Forrester would have gotten a higher rating for me if it were not for the earlier tastings on their petit range wines, because to me I could not really tell any difference between the lower priced Chenin Blanc’s and the mid-ranged priced Chenin Blanc wines. It was not until tasting the Icon Range Rhône blends that I fell in love. Normally the Shiraz wines were attracting my attention, but for Ken Forrester’s wines it was the Three halves that reminded me of Kamen Estates, Sonoma vineyards and their Rhône style blend which is the best I have had outside of Avignon, France. I can now add Ken Forrester to that prestigious list. 

Bouquet & Palette:

Wine & Grape:
Nose:
Palette Experience:
A youthful fresh wine with quince and pear drop flavors.
Earlier picked freshness shows on palate with crunchy green apple and grapefruit flavors. Good mouth feel and appetizingly tangy finish.
Golden hued and full bodied, with melon and spicy baked apple aromas. Layered, with mineral notes enhanced by honeycomb and caramel flavors from lees contact.
A harmonious balance, which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak/vanilla flavors, as they combine to form complex, soft flavors with sufficient body to enhance even spicy and full flavored meals.
Mourvedre, Grenache, Shiraz

Reserve Chenin Blanc
Rich layered with dried apricot, vanilla and honey.
64% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 6% Mourvedre
The character is somewhat 'wild' a little brambly with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, dark spices, with vanilla scents and a distinct, concentrated red-fruit focus.

                                                                                               
Château or Vineyard Owner:
Ken Forrester















Winemaker:
Pieter Rossouw

Tasting room address:          
Scholtzenhof farm
Winery Road
Stellenbosch 7600
South Africa
http://goo.gl/maps/d5Xek
             
S34° 1' 40.9''
E018° 49' 6.9''
Cross streets:
 R44 & Winery Road

Contact Information:

Tasting room:
+27 21 855 2374
Fax:
+27 21 855 2373
Website:
Email:
Facebook Link               
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ken-Forrester-Wines/173363419389797
https://twitter.com/KFwines

Hours of tastings:
Open Monday - Friday: 09h00 - 17h00
Saturday: 9h30 - 15h30

Winter (May - August): 09h30 - 13h30

S. African Standard Time (GMT +2:00)




 https://www.facebook.com/WineDineAndPlay


Review by:
Chef Sean Overpeck (CFE)

Chef Sean cooks for soldiers in Afghanistan, 2012:




 “I like cooking with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food.”
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