MAN Vintners in South Africa was set up by three men who decided that as they were going to be spending most of their lives making wine, they had better name the company after their wives, Marie, Anette and Nicky, to keep them happy! I'd not heard of them today, but was presented with three of their wines in very distinctive packaging, so, being the cynic I am, immediately I was suspicious of the cartoony label.
Tormentoso is a brand created by MAN Vineyards, named after the what the Portuguese sailors who discovered the Cape of Good Hope called it - Cabo Tormentoso or the Cape of Storms. The word Tormentoso has various meanings, one of which is 'struggle' and as the vines for these wines are un-irrigated and have to struggle for their water source, they named the brand Tormentoso. So enough of the marketing waffle, here is what I thought of the wines.
2010 Tormentoso Old Vine Chenin Blanc
Bright, fresh citrus comes off and then some cream and honey aromas. Quite balanced on the nose, but with some fatter elements coming off . The palate has a bit of peach, some lemon too and then a strange hint of strawberry leaf, mixed with a touch of lime, some white spices and a nudge of alcohol before it calms down on the finish. Acid a touch high, but not bad. 87pts
2009 Tormentoso Bush Vine Pinotage
A meaty, slightly polished aroma with a bit of dark, tar aroma coming through. There is some dark berries, a little bit of savoury,vegetation coming off and some charred fruit. The palate has a bit of disjointed, dried out fruit on the front end, leading through a medium weight palate, some more 'open too long red wine' flavours and the finish is a bit aggressive, but it is ok. Not one I'd rush out to get, but it is fine. 84pts
2009 Tormentoso Mourvedre
Lots of sweet berries, a hunk of chocolate dunked in for good measure with some coffee notes coming through. There is a little bruised plum coming off as well that is quite nice. The palate is strangely South African - some burnt rubber, some dark fruit and spice mixed with alcohol, but it does show a balance. The fruit isn't overly jammy, more like a bramble that has been squeezed onto an old boot - mucky, earthy, leathery but quite nice at the same time. I quite like this. 89pts
MAN Vintners Website
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