Stephen Tanzer reviews Dombeya

Great to see that leading US critic Stephen Tanzer has got his hands on some Dombeya the 'states. His reviews came out recently through his International Wine Cellar website, which is one of the most important critical wine publications in the world today.

Tanzer is a renowned hard marker, which tends to make him one of the less quoted critics as retailers and distributors are rapidly understanding that consumers just look at the number first and if that appeals they'll then maybe read the tasting note.

Consequently, anyone who gives high marks on the 100 point scale gets plenty of attention, whilst many reviewers who stick to their guns and a less compressed scoring scale get relegated to the recycling bin. A pity really, as Tanzer's palate and notes are first class and give a clear impression of the structure and character of the wine.

Anyway, we are delighted with the reviews and the scores, and pleased to see that there are critics out there with a capacity to appreciate subtlety and nuance. We have no desire to create super-charged, high octane wines and our continuing goal is to keep building greater refinement into our wines through attention to detail in the vineyards and winery.

Enjoy the reviews!

2007 Dombeya Wines Chardonnay Stellenbosch
($19) Bright, pale yellow. Discreet but highly nuanced nose melds musky citrus notes, subtle oak, dusty stone and nutmeg. Dense, concentrated and harmonious, with lovely lift and integrated acidity giving shape and lift to the peach, lime and light oak flavors. This tactile, chewy chardonnay finishes with a strong impression of extract and impressive energy.
90 points

2006 Dombeya Wines Shiraz Boulder Road Stellenbosch
($22) Full ruby-red. Dark berries, mocha and spicy oak on the nose, perked up by a peppery nuance. Suave and fine-grained, with a restrained sweetness to the flavors of plum, red and darker berries and spices. Not especially complex yet, but this is still a bit youthfully stunted. Finishes with building tannins and a dominant oak spice component.
88 points

2005 Dombeya Wines Samara Stellenbosch
($22; 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% malbec) Full red-ruby. Complex nose offers redcurrant, plum, tobacco leaf, graphite and smoke, lifted by a subtle floral note. Round, supple and sweet, with very good volume and palate-coating texture to the flavors of plum, currant, chocolate, smoke and herbs. A stylish and nuanced Bordeaux-style wine that finishes with dusty tannins and a light herbal character. (GOS Wine & Spirits, Jacksonville, FL)
89 points


Click here to go to Dombeya Wines website.