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The
wines of Tobias, Swartland, South Africa
Impressive wines from Bryan McRobert's small but perfectly formed
venture
Bryan McRobert
Bryan McRobert has a day job, working in
Eben Sadie’s cellar, but he also does a bit of moonlighting,
making a few barrels of wine under his own Tobias label. It’s so
healthy for a region when winemakers are doing their own home brew
because it helps to make the scene more dynamic. It helps newcomers
emerge even when they haven’t got pots of cash, allowing them to
build gradually. Credit to all wineries who permit or encourage
their winemakers to do this.
Bryan makes 1000 bottles each of these
wines and his first vintage was 2009 for the white, 2010 for the
red.
Bryan’s Tobias wines are brilliant, and
seriously under-priced (when I was trying them they were 68 Rand
each; they could easily keep company with 200 Rand bottles.)
There’s a Chenin Blanc and a red blend that’s mostly Mourvèdre. They are made naturally and are
incredibly expressive. Tobias is a member of the Swartland
Independent organization.
THE
WINES
Tobias White Steen 2010 Swartland,
South Africa
Lovely elegant, richly textured white with real elegance as well
as some weight. Notes of pear, peach. Bold, full and soft textured
with a real sense of elegance. 92/100
Tobias Red Mourvedre 2010 Swartland,
South Africa
Mourvèdre
with a bit of Shiraz and some Cinsault. Supple, elegant nose is
sweet with some cherry fruit and a pleasant green sappy edge.
Superbly elegant, supple palate with fine cherry fruit and some
spiciness. Expressive and fine. 94/100
THE
SWARTLAND REVOLUTION
Part 1: Dinner at Callie's
on the Porseleinberg
Part 2: Lammershoek
Part 3: Photos of
Lammershoek
Part 4: Intellego
Part 5: Testalonga
Part 6: Eben Sadie
and a Columella vertical tasting
Part 7: Mullineux
Family Wines
Part 8: Tobias/Bryan McRobert
Wines
tasted 11/11
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
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