2003 Anthony de Jager 'Homtini' Shiraz Viognier another knockout effort
Tasting
Notes
3/10/07
Homtini is the personal project of winemaker Anthony de Jager, whose day time job is making internationally acclaimed wine for Fairview. On the side he sources Shiraz and Viognier grapes from vineyards which are around 25 years old from the slopes of the Paarl Mountain to make his specialty wine. Only around 300 cases of this beauty are made, depending on vintage of course, and we are one of the few accounts in the United States who actually have access to the wine. On our South African venture last year to the Cape Wine Show we were able to have a personal set down with Anthony and try the wine over lunch. We liked it so much that we took everything that we could get, which when it was all said and done came to around 28 six packs. We would have preferred more but are glad to have gotten enough to share with our valued club members.
The 2003 Homtini shows lovely balance as well as offering noted depth and structure to the fruit. The nose on opening offers up notes of dark plums and red fruits, a hint of white stone fruit, sweet earth and an ever so slight suggestion of vanilla, cedar spice, wood smoke and charcoal. Here the Viognier doesn’t make its presence so much noticed on the nose, with its ever so slight stone fruit lift, but plays into the more traditional French style of adding richness across the mid palate. Medium fuller bodied this has a seamless texture, sleek almost silky with ultra fine, powdery tannins and flavors that combine a savory element with darker red fruits and a hint of white stone fruit sweetness. This seems to build momentum and complexity as it opens up. Just starting to show well now this should be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years
