Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
5 Stars
"Extraordinary grace defines house-style; 09 stamped with finesse reflecting the fine single-vineyard soil of origin. Perfectly ripe fruit and cosseting structure yield a rare combination of delicacy and power."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Three Pines Syrah 2009
4 1/2 Stars
"Crafted from highest home-vineyard revered for elegance; 09 seductive berry flesh in pliable parcel, truly delectable."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
4 Stars
"Home-farm's four best blocks, joined by best merlot and cabernet franc and splash petit verdot. 09 spotlights the red berry refinement that is Jonkershoek."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Stark-Condé Syrah 2009
4 Stars
"Striking white pepper spice and purple fruit grounded by tannic grip, 09 excellent gutsy style."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Pepin Condé Chenin Blanc 2010
4 Stars
"Fabulous 10 melds melon fruit with rich vinosity, ending firm and fresh. Super balance of components."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Pepin Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
4 1/2 Stars
"09's plush dark fruit guided by firm yet yielding tannic structure. Very attractive now and for few years."
- Platter's Guide 2012
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
4 1/2 Stars
"Tannins fully integrated and polished, the fruit lush, dark-toned and nuanced. Always a pleasure."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Three Pines Syrah 2008
4 1/2 Stars
"Lovely dark fruit and cocoa nuances, 08 mustn't be hurried. Tightly knit, with a touch of Old World austerity, already drinks well but has been structured to age, will reveal further delights over next 6+ yrs."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
4 Stars
"Blackcurrant coulis & cedar, 08 has fruit concentration yet remains stylishly restrained, approachable, nothing overbearing. Delicious, drink now till 2014."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Stark-Condé Syrah 2008
4 Stars
"With hedgerow fruit complicated by scrub, white pepper nuances, 08 offers pliable tannins and sinuous body."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Pepin Condé Chenin Blanc 2009
4 Stars
"From high-altitude vineyards, 09 is an individual take on chenin; greengage, some fennel notes, unexpected but admirably rich palate texture."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Pepin Condé Sauvignon Blanc 2009
4 Stars
"Intriguing perfume on 09, wet stones, hay & proscuitto, then fruitier on the palate to accompany the brisk acidity, almost-dry tangy finish."
- Platter's Guide 2011
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Top 100 SA Wine 2011
"A classic Cabernet with sweet leafy layers on a bed of blueberry tart. Cedar and coconut provide the seasoning for this special wine. Will be long lived and will improve for 5 years at least."
- Top 100 South African Wines Competition 2011
Three Pines Syrah 2007
91 Points
"Deep ruby-red. Expressive aromas of dark raspberry, pepper, woodsmoke, licorice and wild herbs. Then suave, silky and seamless in the mouth, with lovely verve giving shape to the dark fruit and smoked meat flavours. Boasts an excellent depth and a restrained sweetness that will take a few years to show itself. The broad finish features sweet tannins and excellent subtle persistence."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, USA, March/April 2011
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
91 Points
"Dark red. Musky aromas of crushed cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate. Sweet and supple but firm, with classic cabernet flavours of dark berries, mint, herbs and cedary oak, plus a whiff of dark chocolate. A deep and vinous wine with very good energy and spine. Finishes with sweet, building tannins and excellent length and lift. Fewer than 400 cases were produced."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, USA, March/April 2011
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
89 Points
"Saturated bright ruby. Cassis, black plum, licorice, dark chocolate and wild herbs on the nose. Dense, juicy and tightly wound, with slightly medicinal berry flavours, a sappy herbal element and a whiff of woodsmoke. Not at all a sweet style but finishes surprisingly pliant, with broad fine tannins and attractive herbal perfume. I'd give this another couple years in the cellar."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, USA, March/April 2011
Three Pines Syrah 2007
89 Points
"Aromas and flavours of black cherry, raspberry, cola and black pepper; harmonius and sustained finish with mocha note. Very good. Veal shank."
- Santé Magazine, USA, March 2010
Three Pines Syrah 2007
93 Points
"This is inviting, with a dense core of plum, black currant and blackberry fruit wrapped with roasted apple wood, graphite and loam. Long, almost burly finish is loaded with grip, but manages to stay poised. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Drink now through 2014."
- Wine Spectator Insider, Feb 9, 2011
Three Pines Syrah 2007
92 Points: "Editor's Choice" & TOP 100 wines of 2011 at number 85
"An immediately attractive wine with intense aromas of black raspberry, cherry and plum laced with toasted cedar and mocha accents. The texture is like crushed velvet, and the rich mouth filled with firm but fine-grain tannins. A touch of cola spice unwinds on the long finish."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA, June 2011
Stark-Condé Syrah 2007
91 points
"A solid, muscular, old-school style, with a range of dark olive and pepper notes up front, leading the way for burly-textured currant, fig and blackberry fruit flavors. The long, smoky finish lets the olive edge play out. Drink now through 2013."
- Wine Spectator Insider, Feb 9, 2011
Stark-Condé Syrah 2007
90 points
"Notes of bramble, wild forest berries, game and white pepper flood the nose and mouth. The mouthfeel is creamy and lush, with rich cherry flavours developing on the palate and playing into the cocoa-dusted finish."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA, June 2011
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
90 points
"This cuts a broad swath, with dark plum, blackberry and currant paste notes laced with mint, black tea and mocha. The big, rich, toasty finish has lots of character. Drink now through 2013."
- Wine Spectator Insider, Feb 9, 2011
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
90 Points
"Cigar box and mulberry spice aromas lead the nose of this Cab, with fruity notes of black berry and cassis providing the backdrop. Full and lush in the mouth, the ripe black fruit carries through to the finish alongside accents of roasted coffee grounds."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA, June 2011
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
91 points
"With 4,300 bottles produced and only 110 cases imported, this is a gorgeous small production Cab that should be grabbed up when you find it. It's all dark fruit and sweet spice with notes of black currant, fig, plum, leather and cigar box. With firm tannins and a medium-full weight, this is a big but balanced wine that's easy to enjoy now or can be cellared for a couple of years."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, USA, 31 Dec 2010
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
92 points
"Dark, ripe and very polished, with a gorgeous core of crushed plum, cassis and blackberry fruit. Yet there's plenty of mouthfilling grip, with a touch of loam and tar driving through on the finish. Drink now through 2014."
- Wine Spectator Magazine, USA, 15 Nov 2010, James Molesworth
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show RSA 2010
Winner of the American Express Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
(the only winery to have won this Trophy twice)
Platter's Guide 2010
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
4 ½ Stars "Highly Recommended"
"Tightly structured but complexity already showing in 07, cassis core with hints of fines herbes. Like all these, no edges, the tannins polished, seaming the fruit. TWS Gold."
Platter's Guide 2010
Three Pines Syrah 2007
4 ½ Stars "Highly Recommended"
"Enormous concentration & depth in 07, yet it remains sleek, seamless, which can only come from great fruit, expertly handled. Multi-layered, has all the usual shiraz dark tones, tannins the underlying muscular frame for 8+ yr future. Fruit ex single-vineyard, as for Cab."
Platter's Guide 2010
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
4 Stars
"Molten plums, cassis, yet no sweetness, 07's oak regime gives cedar-spiced dryness, lovely savoury length. Ready but long life ahead."
Platter's Guide 2010
Stark-Condé Syrah 2007
4 Stars
"In cooler vintage, more scrub & fynbos notes to 07, but the fruit is there in full force, lush & vivid, beautifully meshed with limber tannins. To drink while Three Pines matures."
Three Pines Syrah 2006
90 points
"Spicebox, red berry, pepper…all entice in the aroma of this more delicate, sophisticated red. On the palate its gentle layers of warming spice, pepper, spice and cloves offer refined complexity. A beautiful, sultry sip that will pair well with cheeses, grilled meats, stew."
- Wine Enthusiast, March 2010
Stark-Condé Syrah 2006
89 points
"Silky smooth and bright with spice, violets, black raspberry and hints of oak and chocolate; supple, nicely structured and balanced."
- Anthony Dias Blue Reviews, Nov 2009
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
90 points
"Focused, with a graphite undertow to the black currant, black cherry and fig notes. Licorice and coffee hints frame the finish."
- Wine Spectator, Dec 2008
Three Pines Syrah 2006
90 points
"A dark, structured style, with a prominent graphite edge carrying the briar, black licorice and macerated cherry and currant fruit. There's good buried minerality on the finish."
- Wine Spectator, Dec 2008
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
89 points
"Solid, with a briary streak running through the black cherry and blackberry fruit. The finish lets graphite and licorice hints peek in."
- Wine Spectator, Dec 2008
Stark-Condé Syrah 2006
89 points
"Focused, with a solid beam of briar, blackberry and black licorice notes that stay juicy on the medium-weight finish. Very solid."
- Wine Spectator, Dec 2008
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Score: 17 out of 20
"Rather more complex. Fills the palate and is in fact lip-smackingly good! There's still a little tannin here but with food it could delight already. Should develop well too."
- Jancis Robinson, "Great new South Africans", 5 November 2009
> read more
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
4 Stars
"Brooding nose. Rich and full on the palate with ripe fruit and relatively soft tannins. Modern style."
- Wine Magazine South Africa, April 2009
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
3 ½ Stars
- Wine Magazine South Africa, April 2009
Stark-Condé Syrah 2005
4 ½ stars Best Buy
"This is a really lovely syrah, with a lot of complexity in the flavours and a terrific seam of acidity that contributes an edgy tanginess to the texture. It's drinking now and will hold another year or two. Open it with grilled lamb."
- Rod Philips, Wine Pointer 11 Feb 2009, rodphillipsonwine.com
Three Pines Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
90 points
"Saturated medium ruby. Ripe aromas and flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, licorice, menthol and dried herbs. Dense, sweet and suave, with attractive ripe acidity giving it lift, but also showing a medicinal austerity today. This persistent but seriously backward wine is very young and needs several years of cellaring."
- Stephen Tanzer, Mar/Apr 2009
> read more (subscription required) ...
Three Pines Valley Syrah 2006
89 points
"Saturated ruby. Medicinal black fruits, licorice and a meaty nuance on the nose and palate. Dense and smooth but youthfully impenetrable now, with the medicinal quality carrying through in the mouth. There's very good texture and intensity here, but this classically dry wine needs patience. Finishes with very smooth tannins and a hint of exotic flowers."
- Stephen Tanzer, Mar/Apr 2009
> read more (subscription required) ...
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
89 points
"You pay a slight premium for this unfined, unfiltered wine, but it is certainly worth it. It delivers the complexity and depth expected at $20, with interesting almost cool climate herbal notes and fresh fruit character. It's dry and well balanced, with juicy acidity and streaks of earthy-savoury-spicy flavours running through to a long finish. Nice value for current enjoyment."
- John Szabo, www.wineaccess.ca ON, Canada
Stark-Condé Syrah 2005
89 points
"Above average complexity on the nose; fullish, ripe, balanced, with neither excessive tannins, oak or acidity. Decent length. All in all, a solidly made, varietally correct example for current drinking."
- John Szabo, www.wineaccess.ca ON, Canada
South African Wines Step Onto the Stage
By Eric Asimov
New York Times, January 21, 2009
"...including the 2005 Stark-Condé at $40, which just squeaked in at No. 10. This wine, from the Jonkershoek Valley, a subdivision of the Stellenbosch region just east of Cape Town, was powerful and a little rounder than some of the more structured wines, yet it was still in balance.
Almost all of our other favorite cabernets came from the Stellenbosch region, practically on the southwestern tip of the African continent and centered on the old university town of Stellenbosch. The area is blessed with weather as gorgeous as the vistas for which it is renowned. The Bon Cap was the lone outsider, coming from Robertson in the Breede River Valley to the east."
Stark-Condé Jonkershoek Valley Twin Peak Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
** Stars: Pretty floral aromas; powerful yet balanced.
> read more
Platter's Guide 2009
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
4 ½ Stars
"Range previously listed as “Twin Peak”. From single vineyard, highest elevation on home-farm. Hedgerow fruit with cassis, gives wild edge, adds to individuality of 06; refined tannins accessible, reflect careful handling: unfined/filtered, as all reds. 22 months French oak, 70% new. TWS Gold."
Platter's Guide 2009
Three Pines Syrah 2006
4 ½ Stars
"Concentrated plush dark fruit in 06, ably matched to serious oaking, building it for longer haul, as befits wine of this class. Meaty, smoky notes point to complexity, depth. Amenable, but infanticide – allow time. Fruit ex-single vineyard."
Platter's Guide 2009
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
4 ½ Stars
"Powerful cassis and dark fruit plums in 06, on a firm tannin base. No harshness, already good partner for roasts, rich casseroles, but few more years ageing will allow more integration, reveal full potential."
Platter's Guide 2009
Stark-Condé Syrah 2006
4 Stars
"Richly perfumed red berries in 06, with variety’s trademark savoury & dried herb notes on the palate. Lots going on here, all good; fleshy, delicious, with excellent typicity."
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2008 RSA
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Gold Medal Winner
Michelangelo Wine Awards 2008 RSA
Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Gold Medal Winner
Michelangelo Wine Awards 2008 RSA
Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Double Gold Medal Winner
Wine Spectator
Stark-Condé Twin Peak Vineyards Jonkershoek
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – 91 points
"Has a dark, mountain-grown fruit profile, with a brambly undertow to the dark licorice, loam, black currant, tobacco and coffee flavors. Solid structure dominates the finish for now, but this should open nicely in the cellar. Best from 2008 through 2010. –JM"
Wine Spectator
Stark-Condé Twin Peak Vineyards Jonkershoek
Syrah 2005 – 91 points
"A tight-grained Syrah, with cocoa and coffee hints leading the way for slightly burly dark cherry and currant fruit. Good mix of minerality and toast on the structured finish, which has a dark, mountain-grown fruit profile. Needs a little time to open up. Drink now through 2010. –JM"
Wine Spectator
Stark-Condé Stellenbosch
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – 90 points
"Offers a solid mix of briar, grilled sage, tobacco and dark currant fruit backed by a structured finish that shows a nice tangy iron note. Drink now through 2009. –JM"
Wine Spectator
Stark-Condé Stellenbosch
Syrah 2005 – 90 points
"Pure, with an excellent core of raspberry and boysenberry fruit riding atop racy, graphite and iron notes. Bright, mocha-tinged finish hangs together wonderfully. Drink now through 2009. –JM"
Wine Enthusiast
Stark-Condé Twin Peak Vineyards Jonkershoek
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – 91 points
"Layers of cherry, currant and herbs give this fresh Cab an elegant but earthy feel. A lovely balance of fruit and acid, topped with supple and structured tannins, add to the success. Very pretty and collectible."
Wine Enthusiast
Stark-Condé Stellenbosch
Syrah 2005 – 90 points
"Elegant berry and pepper lead on the nose of this balanced Syrah. On the palate, the wine offers fresh fruit with a peppery backbone that results in a soft but structured style. Refined flavors and a long finish seal the deal. A classy choice."
Tasting Notes from the Underground
By George Heritier
www.gangofpour.com
November, 2006
"Stark-Condé is hardly a household name in the
US
, much less around here in metro Day-twah. I’d barely ever heard of this South African wine producer until I did some research on MAN Vintners recently, and discovered that José Condé (1/3 of the triumvirate of partners in that project) is the owner-winemaker. Upon further investigation, I learned that Stark-Condé is a family-run boutique operation whose total output is less than 5,000 cases a year, and produces only red wines. There are two levels of production; the Condé line is made up of single vineyard bottlings sourced from their best vineyard blocks, while the lower priced Stark line (named after a now-deceased family matriarch) are blended from more than one vineyard. The wines at both levels are made in the same manner, with hand-sorting, open-top fermentations, hand punchdowns and manual basket pressing.... I had no idea what to expect when we took possession of six bottles from Stark-Condé for review a few weeks ago, but we soon discovered that this is an outfit to be reckoned with ..."
> read more
Wine Spectator
Condé Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
July 2006
"Lots of plum, blackberry and currant fruit is backed by mint, coffee and bacony toast. A touch brawny on the tobacco-tinged finish, but should soften in the near-term. Drink now through 2008. 90pts."
Wine Spectator
Condé Syrah 2003
July 2006
“Ripe and streamlined, with a pure beam of black cherry and raspberry fruit stitched with tobacco, mineral and judicious toast. Solid, focused finish. Drink now through 2007. 90pts.”
Wine Enthusiast
Condé Syrah 2003
July 2006
“Chocolate, cigar leaf and plum fruit aromas lead to a big, full-bodied wine with great balance and plenty of ripe tannins. Kirsch, black currant and spice flavors are plenty deep; tobacco shines through on the long, smooth finish. 90pts."
Wine and Spirits
Condé Syrah 2003
August 2006
“Complex scents of the velt gain a lift from this wine’s high-toned acidity. It shows syrah’s gamey, meaty side as well as its peppery aromas, with white and green peppercorn spice. Rich and intense, this wine needs several years in the cellar to show at its best. 90pts.”
