I did appreciate the 2008 Semillon Reserve. Raised in 500-liter French and Hungarian oak, it has an attractive bouquet of yellow plum, lemon curd and almond, the oak still a little dominant although I suspect it will subsume itself more over the next year. The palate is medium-bodied, “fat” in the mouth with luscious pineapple, honeycomb and vanilla flavours, lathered with cream oak on the finish. It is not a cerebral wine, but it is delicious!Unfortunately, I was rather nonplussed by the wines from this Helderberg estate that came across as blockbusting, testosterone-fuelled wines that wore thin after a few sips.Importer: Dreyfuss Ashby, New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

Delicious and full bodied with fine depth of flavor and excellent texture. Ample oak compliments dry pear, herb-tinged fruit aromas and flavors. Most Chardonnays, don’t offer this elegance, structure, or food-friendliness. Will cellar well for 4–8 years.——M.M.(7/1/2005)—— 90

Stylish and full-bodied, this smooth and complex Sémillon shows the buttery, toasty aromas of new oak backed by good fruit concentration. Drink now through 1999. 500 cases made.??–null??Region: South Africa / Western Cape / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch / Stellenbosch Select to Add