Review: Ernie Els Wines 2004 Stellenbosch
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

They call PGA Tour star Ernie Els, the Big Easy, but there was nothing easy about the formation of his winery, Ernie Els Wines. In fact, in 1999, when Els and long-time friend Jean Engelbrecht established Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, followed by the December 2004 opening of their cellar in South Africa, it was the result of a long-time dream. The result: some of the most prized wines from a country known for its outstanding offerings for the palate.

We at London Ontario Golf truly welcomed the opportunity to review a wine offering from Ernie Els Wines, and we can’t think of a better wine to begin with than the 2004 Stellenbosch. Represented by Burlington, Ont.-based Thompson Vintage Trade Ltd., this outstanding wine is one of the most complete Bordeaux blends to come out of South Africa.

Stellenbosch is one of the great wine producing areas in the world, so it’s no surprise that Els chose this South Africa region to produce his wine. The idea was born from a long-standing friendship with Engelbrecht, who shares Els’s vision to produce a wine that captures everything the Big Easy stands for: big in stature and gentle in character.

Following the 1999 establishment of Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, the opening of their cellar in 2004 on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch was a dream come true. The duo set out to create an extraordinary wine. Consider it mission accomplished.

Embracing the talents of winemaker Louis Strydom, producer of the only South African wine to be nominated four years consecutively as one of the Top 100 wines in the world, Els and Engelbrecht created the Ernie Els wine. The Ernie Els 2004 Limited Release is a classic Bordeaux blend, comprising of: Cabernet Sauvignon 62%; Merlot 24%; Petit Verdot 6%; Malbec 4%; and Cabernet Franc 4%.

Even before we tasted this wine, its blend boasted of world-class quality. Once the cork was removed, it most certainly did not disappoint. Here’s why.

Ernie Els vineyards are located high atop the northern slopes of the Halderberg Mountain. This contribution imparts warmer fruit flavours to the wine. In summer, the vineyards’ close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean result in cool sea breezes which keep temperatures lower, and thus extending the ripening period. The soils are deep red and are a mixture of weathered/decomposed granite and Hutton. A small percentage is made up of clay and Clovelly.

The different clones of this wine are micro-vinified throughout vinification. Vinified in 300 litre French oak barrels for 20 months, the wine underwent bottle maturation for a further 18 months, and boasts a full robust style with the potential to age.

Before dining, we sampled the 2004 Ernie Els Stellenbosch on its own, and were delighted with its bright, dark ruby appearance, middle palate complexity and long spicy finish. We couldn’t wait to pair it with a meal consisting of medium rare steak and roasted potatoes with garlic butter. What followed was an absolute delight for the senses. In fact, the wine outshone the meal completely, thanks to fruit supported by violets, black olives and hints of vanilla and spice, and an aroma fruit driven with red current, cassis and plum fruits. It has an alcohol content of 14.5%, acidity 6,02 g/l, PH 3.66 and Res. Sugar 3.0 g/l.

Vintage Trade lists this wonderful wine at $509.70 per six bottle case. It most certainly is a wine to be shared amongst family and good friends, as you’ll want to embrace its exceptional qualities with others.

There are a myriad of reasons why the 2004 Ernie Els Stellenbosch is the best wine we have sampled to date. We encourage you to do so too. Visit www.ernielswines.com for more information on this wine, and others offered by the Big Easy.