South Africa 1990: Drink now
A large crop. The best wines were Cabernet-based but even these were rather light
Weather Conditions
An uneven spring in South Africa with alternating periods of fresh winds and hot spells causing patchy budding in some areas. The pattern continued into summer, affecting white varieties but most reds, specially late-ripening Cabernet, were harvested without significant weather problems to yield a so-so Cape vintage, quantitatively and qualitatively. Not worth seeking out now.
Best Appellations
The best of 1990 is to be found in Stellenbosch, Constantia, Paarl, and Franschhoek.
Best Producers
In Stellenbosch: Kanonkop (Bordeaux blend, Paul Sauer), Thelema (Cab.); Meerlust (Bordeaux blend; Rubicon); Rust-en-Vrede (Estate Cab.-Shiraz blend & Shiraz); Rustenberg (Cab.); Alto (Cab.); Hartenberg (Shiraz); Overgaauw (Cab.); Blaauklippen (Shiraz).
In Constantia: Buitenverwachting (Bordeaux blends, Grand Vin & Christine); Blaauwklippen (Zinfandel).
Paarl: Backsberg (Cab).
Franschhoek: L’Ormarins (Bordeaux blend, Optima).
