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Friday, February 24, 2012

Nederburg Special Late Harvest 2010 (about $11)

About the Wine:  As grapes develop on the vine they build up more and more sugar.  Some wine grapes are intentionally harvested later in the season for that reason to produce a sweeter wine.  The most extreme examples of this are ice wines, which are not harvested until after the first frost.  The designation "late harvest" is desirable in almost any sweet wine as it assures natural sweetness.
About THIS Wine:  Nederburg offers a blend of Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer.  The wine has a gold color and potent nose of honey and apricot with hints of raisins.  It is one of the few wines I have ever had that tasted like it smelled.  It has an unusually syrupy palate that is reminiscent of a sherry.  The finish is lingering and sweet with hints of orange.
Drinking This Wine:  The first time I tried to sample it, the wine was not cold.  The smell was truly foul.  The wine must be well chilled before drinking.  It would go well with sweet puddings and other creamy desserts.  I would also have it with spicy Thai chicken.
Overall Impression:  At $11 a bottle, this wine is an absolute steal.

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