Top score at Veritas just one of The Mentors’ major achievements of late
THE MENTORS wines have been marvelled at and admired ever since the launch of this premium tier by the KWV in Paarl over a decade ago. The most consistent stars in the range include Pinotage and red combos such as the Perold Cape Blend and the Bordeaux-style Orchestra, one of only 29 wines in South Africa’s Hall of Fame. Plus, the Chenin Blanc and Grenache Blanc in terms of white wines in the portfolio as well as Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot among the red varieties are also classified as standouts in their respective classes. Consider all the praise for The Mentors in 2020 alone, and here we’re just touching on the top accolades:
• Chenin Blanc: 2018 scored 96/100 in the Decanter World Wine Awards (UK)
• Grenache Blanc: 2018 scored 93/100 in Decanter (UK)
• Cabernet Franc: 2017 awarded gold at the Cab Franc Challenge (SA), Mundus Vini (DE) and at the Veritas Awards (SA); 2018 achieved gold at the Cab Franc Challenge (SA) and at the Veritas Awards (SA)
• Canvas (Shiraz-led red blend): 2017 scored 93/100 in Decanter (UK), was awarded 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide (SA) and won gold at the Veritas Awards (SA)
• Orchestra (Cabernet-led red blend): 2017 scored 93/100 at Gilbert & Gaillard (FR) and achieved gold at the Veritas Awards (SA); 2018 awarded Vertex Trophy for top-scoring wine at the Veritas Awards
• Perold (Pinotage-led red blend): 2017 scored 93/100 in Decanter (UK) and at Gilbert & Gaillard (FR), placed among the Top 5 in the Perold Cape Blend Competition (SA) and was awarded 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide (SA).
How things have grown and developed since 2006 when The Mentors was introduced as an experimental facility. Here the KWV can ‘play around’ with different winemaking techniques, different coopers and different varieties grown in various parts of the Cape winelands – a boutique outfit set amongst the bigger cellars at a plant where production runs range from a few pallets to container-loads and tankers. And every year The Mentors team comes up with a Limited Edition as something unique, something different from the established range. In 2019 they released a 2017 Carmenere. In 2020 they presented a 2018 Petite Sirah. Next up? Watch this space!
THE MENTORS CHENIN BLANC 2019
WO Coastal: vineyards in the Swartland (50%) and Paarl (50%). Fermented in barrel (40% natural yeast). Wine left on lees (spent yeast) for 270 days with regular stirring. Matured in 500L barrels (first-, second- and third-fill) for nine months. Total production: 4000L.
Alc 14.2 | RS 3.2 | TA 6.1 | pH 3.2
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Aromas of ripe mango, apricot and jasmine. Creamy, textured palates shows hints of dried peach and zesty lime with good length. Some floral notes. Rich and fresh. Can be enjoyed on release or cellared for up to five years.
Food Pairing Suggestions: vegetable dishes, rich fish, or cream-based chicken.
R138pb ex-cellar.
THE MENTORS GRENACHE BLANC 2018
WO Coastal: vineyards in Wellington (50%) and Paarl (50%). Small berries hand-harvested before crushing and destemming. 90% fermented in barrel with natural yeast, 10% tank-fermented. Wine left on lees (spent yeast) for 280 days with regular stirring. 90% matured in barrel (first-, second- and third-fill) for nine months. Total production: 2800L.
Alc 13.3 | RS 2.5 | TA 7.0 | pH 3.0
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Aromas of white, fleshy peaches, pineapple and litchi, with hints of minerality, lime and roasted almonds. Fresh, textured palate supported by linear acidity that enhances the minerality. Concentrated finish. Can be enjoyed on release or cellared for up to five years.
Food Pairing Suggestions: salmon, or delicately-flavoured creamy risottos.
R138pb ex-cellar.
THE MENTORS CABERNET FRANC 2018
WO Stellenbosch. Small berries hand-sorted. Juice inoculated with selected yeast strain. Fermentation with regular pump-overs before pressing and transfer to barrels for malolactic fermentation. Wine then racked and cleaned before return to barrel for 12 months’ maturation. Best wine selected and matured for a further six months before second racking – total of 18 months in French oak (70% new). Total production: 4550L.
Alc 14.7 | RS 3.0 | TA 6.3 | pH 3.4
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Aromas of spice, pencil shavings, fynbos and dark cherries. Complex, layered palate delivers silky-soft finish with powdery tannins. Can be enjoyed on release, but cellaring for additional five to eight years will be rewarded.
Food Pairing Suggestions: beef fillet or tender veal dishes.
R260pb ex-cellar.
THE MENTORS CANVAS 2018
WO Coastal: vineyards in Wellington (38%), Paarl (32%), Swartland (15%), Stellenbosch (15%). Blend components: Shiraz (38%), Grenache Noir (19%), Petite Sirah (12.5%), Tempranillo (12.5%), Carignan (12%), Mourvèdre (3%), Tannat (3%). After fermentation, the most promising wines of each variety were matured in (older) French oak barrels for 12 months, after which the finest wines were selected for further maturation (another six months). In total, 18 months maturation in 300L and 500L barrels (50% new). Total production: 6250L.
Alc 14.6 | RS 2.8 | TA 6.4 | pH 3.3
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Layered aromas of raspberry, cranberry, violets and cloves. On the palate, the flavours of berries and cloves combine with soft, chalky tannins. Concentrated and full-bodied. Enoyable on release or cellar for up to eight years after vintage.
Food Pairing Suggestion: grilled red meats including venison.
R260pb ex-cellar.
THE MENTORS ORCHESTRA 2018
WO Western Cape: vineyards in Stellenbosch (72%), Paarl (22%) and Wellington (6%). Blend components: Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Petit Verdot (30%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Merlot (10%), Malbec (10%) and Carménère (6%). Grapes hand-picked and hand-sorted. After fermentation, the most promising wines were chosen for 12 months’ maturation in barrel, after which the finest wines were selected for a further 6 months’ maturation before blending. Total maturation of 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new). Total production: 18 500L.
Alc 14.7 | RS 2.9 | TA 6.3 | pH 3.4
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Modern, multi-layered Bordeaux-style blend shows aromas of blackcurrants, blueberries, plums and black pepper, with nuances of pencil shavings and dried herbs. On the palate, intense concentration, firm tannin structure, sweet fruit and excellent follow-through. Can be enjoyed on release or cellared for up to eight years after vintage.
Food Pairing Suggestions: braised lamb shoulder, or fillet mignon.
R260pb ex-cellar.
THE MENTORS PEROLD 2017
WO Coastal: vineyards in the Swartland (38%), Stellenbosch (32%), Wellington (19%) and Darling (11%). Cape blend components: Pinotage (34%), Cabernet Sauvignon (28%), Shiraz (28%), Malbec (8%) and Petite Sirah (2%). Bunches of grapes hand-picked and hand-sorted. Whole-berry fermentation and gentle pump-overs, after which the most promising wines of each variety were chosen to mature in barrel for 12 months. Another selection followed before the best wines were aged for a further six months – a total of 18 months in French oak barrels (100% new). Total production: 4800L.
Alc 14.7 | RS 2.5 | TA 5.9 | pH 3.4
Winemakers’ Tasting Notes: Overflowing with aromatic fruit sweetness of plums, sour cherries and black pepper. Great balance between fruit concentration and oak integration. Focused finished, yet lingering, velvet mouthfeel. Can be enjoyed on release or cellared for between eight and 10 years after vintage.
Food Pairing Suggestions: hearty winter dishes such as oxtail and lamb shanks.
R585pb ex-cellar.
