Post House Blueish Black and Man Chenin Blanc: Reviews of Two South African Bargain Wines

Here, two outstanding value wines from South Africa are reviewed: Post House Blueish Black and Man Chenin Blanc.

Review: Post House Blueish Black is a red meritage offering from vineyards of Stellenbosch, South Africa, a highly-regarded winemaking region. The selection was recommended to me as one of South Africa's best red wine values. It is a combinage of 38% shiraz, 26% pinotage, 19% cabernet sauvignon and 13% merlot. It tips in at a potent 14.5% alcohol.

In the glass, Post House Blueish Black is medium dark red - no purple highlights that I can spot, even in such a recent vintage. In fact, for that matter, no "blueish" or "black" highlights either!

Well, no matter - let's see what the wine itself brings... Aromas are bold: smoky, earthy with lusty fruit. In a word, robust. I hope the palate lives up to the promise.

Upon sipping, you notice a deep, smoky, slightly sweet fruit on the mid-palate. It follows with a just-slightly acidic, mild tannin robe along the sides of your mouth. Quite a balanced experience overall - and ready to drink despite its youthfulness. Three stars with a plus for its balance and character. Could age just a little to mellow.

Great introduction to a classical South African-style red wine at a bargain price.

Find Post House Blueish Black at WineZap.

Review: The Man Vintners Chenin Blanc (Steen), 2008, hails from the Coastal Region of South Africa. It displays a bold alcohol level of 13.5%. It is part of the Man Vintners value line of South African wines, which have fared as excellent values elsewhere in Spirit of Wine.

The chenin blanc shows as nearly transparent in the glass, with a light yellow overall cast. The Man Chenin Blanc is served chilled, as per the label recommendation. Nonetheless, the aromas are bold and full, bringing sweet steely grasses, and elements of honeydew melon.

On sipping, it is your mid-palate that is treated to the first fruits of the experience - a smooth, rich, slightly butterscotchy flow reaches across your tongue and to the back of your mouth. It is clean and lightly honeyed, almost an element of honeycomb (dusty perhaps?). Served cool, no acids prick your cheeks, but they are hinted at by a high note on the finish, which is long, cool, clean and slightly tropical. Lacks intensity or layers, but is nicely balanced and composed. Three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for its accessibility and pleasantness.

Awesome bargain at the price.

Interesting fact: as the wine warmed a bit towards room temperatures, aromas intensified and a slightly more acidic backbone came through. I'd recommend serving just lightly chilled.

Wine Spectator awarded 87 points, suggesting that the wine be drunk now, while lively, refreshing and young.

Find Man Chenin Blanc at WineZap.