Thanks to all who helped me put a price to my new wine, the BATAVIA. It is a Cape blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc and Pinotage.
I hand selected 63 of my valued clients to assist me in this adventure. Each received a case of wine delivered to their house. They tasted it on their own drank it with friends did blind tastings compared it to well known expensive brands compared it to well known cheap brands braaied with it went fishing with it took it to the bush gave it away compared it with food drank it, drank it and drank it.... bottom line: it sounds like they had HEAPS of fun! The single purpose : To put a price to the wine. What's interesting is that most of them commented that they determined a price not only based on what they think it is worth, but also on what they can afford. And that's then what they paid me.
Based on what they paid, I worked out the average price and will now release the rest of the wine at that EXACT price. Part of the fun is to share what all had to say about the wine. I therefore decided to published ALL the comments (the GOOD, BAD as well as the UGLY ones) below... After all, BLANKbottle is all about honesty.
The average price people paid me and therefore the official price for BLANKbottle BATAVIA is R52.61 per bottle. You can buy the wine on my website now or via e-mail, phone fax.....
Go for it: I didn’t decide the price, you did!
I opened a bottle and had a couple of glasses. Very tasty, young yet remarkably smooth. Another winner I would say! I am happy to pay R 70.00 per bottle to you – how does that sound?. Retail I would expect to pay at least R100.00.
Alan
We were 4, if you sat around the table you would have been very proud !! All the comments, flavors that they were aware off. From the smelling of freshly cut lawn, up to dried fruit, oak, roses, charcoal, smoke etc. We think you did well, congratulations!!! You can invoice me for R65 a bottle !!!!!!
Alta
My personal view is that your wine compares favourably with blends ranging in price from R40 to R50 per bottle on the shelf. I have a Spier blend that it does not quite match, but then I paid R50 wholesale for it. I am therefore happy to pay R45 per bottle for it. It certainly improves with a bit of breathing. I think it will improve a bit over time, and recommend that it lies down for a year or two.
Andre
Ons het 3 mense gehad wat ‘n blinde wynproe gehou het tussen Batavia, Odd Bin 249 (prys R37), Perdeberg Cab/Merlot (Prys R30), en Le Riche Cab/Merlot (prys R100). Buiten die wyn evalueer vir reuk, kleur en smaak, het ons ook probeer raai wat ons vir elkeen van die wyne sou bereid wees om te betaal. Uitslag was dat 2 mense vir Batavia R30, en een R45 gegee het, wat ‘n gemiddelde van R35 gee. Dit sal dus die bedrag wees wat ek reken ‘n regverdige prys hoort te verteenwoordig vir hierdie een.
Andre
I did get a few friends around to taste the wine and did as you suggested, bought two other wines of varying price categories, and did the tasting. I personally enjoyed the Batavia with its hint of chocolate – I generally enjoy Pinotage varieties. My friends are mostly Cab/Merlot drinkers and thought it a bit heavy on their palettes. It turned out to be a fun evening, everyone thought it was a brilliant idea to do this – you may have started a new trend as far as wine gatherings go! The conclusion after the evening’s proceedings was that the bottle should be priced in the region of R40-00. I would have priced it higher – R48-00. So, please send me my bill.
Alf
Thanks for letting me participate in your latest testing, I do enjoy the opportunity to try something interesting and unique (which your wines always
are.) Deciding not to keep the experience to myself I passed out a few bottles of BATAVIA to some friends and sought their feedback as well, so here goes;
Craig: Great nose when opened and got even better on the palate after opening and resealing for a day. Eaten with sausage and salad at a braai - thoroughly drinkable and lovely complex taste.
James: A bit "hectic" if consumed too soon after opening (- explained the age of the wine and immediately clarified that one). "A wine which will encourage you to drink too much of it!" - Consumed in quantity with Steak and fresh garden salads.
Myself: Love the strong spicy aromas when decanting for the first time, flavours interestingly complex and almost has two distinct personalities as you drink the wine. Consumed on its own and then also with rare red meat and simply prepared fresh vegetables. - A winner in my humble opinion and certainly can’t wait to see what it tastes like if left for a while.
Thanks again - this was great fun (and a good excuse to encourage some friends to share in the experience)
Edwin
P.S. I did purchase your recommended wines to do a 3 way blind tasting but haven’t gotten that far yet, perhaps this weekend ;-)
Hi we have had 6 bottles of Batavia and I am really enjoying it .I would like to pay around R45 per bottle for this wine even though I know it is worth more
Rudi
THANKS we did receive our consignment and we have tried the wine with everybody that was visiting. We have all agreed that the wine is smooth and soft and we would all be prepared to buy at R65 per bottle. This is affordable for the normal people like us! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of the wonderful experience. Keep up the good work and reap the success of effort!
Magda
Baie dankie vir die Batavia, ek het dit laas week ontvang. Eerstens moet ek net sê “Well done!” Die is ‘n wyn met besonderse smaak en volheid vir ‘n 2008. En jammer, my mening kan ek nie staaf met breedvoerige kennis van wyn of beskrywende terme nie. Ek gaan dit wel waag: Die is ‘n sagte wyn met ‘n volronde smaak, nie te droog nie, gelukkig nie fruity nie, maar opmerklike na smaak wat moeilik is om te beskryf….ek wil amper sê soos ‘n baie ryp pruim/berry smaak met ondertone van oak (jinne ek klink nou amper soos ‘n wynkenner – ek weet net nie of ek dit nou heeltemal mis nie).
Saam met lam en rypgemaakte steak wat voorberei is met vars kruie sal die wyn nog meer uitstekend wees. Ek sou graag die kennis wou hê om die verouderings potensiaal van die wyn te probeer bepaal wat sekerlik ‘n verskil sal maak op die prys. Die wyn is egter niks minder werd as R45 per bottel nie. Stuur gerus vir my die volle bedrag wat aflewering insluit asook die nodige bankbesonderhede vir EFT.
Henk
A WONDERFUL wine!!! Yes a mouthful and taste! I get chocolate – very strong. I will open another bottle tonight and give it some serious thought. But yes I just love it!!
John
We did the tasting last night and all who were there enjoyed the BATAVIA, remarked on its accessibility and smoothness which probably caused by the Cab. Franc part being quite large. We debated the price for quite some time but by a democratic found settled on R. 80 per bottle.
RUDY
Have enjoyed the wine with many friends and did comparisons with your midnight call (a friend suggested that the name is misleading?? – his bottle only lasted till 7.00) and a few other blends. Consensus was not easy in my wine drinking circle and the range was from 45 – 80.i am happy to pay 60 so kindly forward this invoice. Must say that it was a really fun exercise and look forward to seeing what others thought. Many thanks for including me in the group
Bobby
My initial thoughts on the aromas is that the wine has a 'sweetness', a pleasurable smell of maybe chocolate and blueberries, with tiny bits of spice- not sure what it is maybe a vanilla. On tasting, I found the wine explosive on taste, yet extremely smooth on the tongue and taste buds. There were chocolately tastes too, maybe some caramel.........I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. I found it extremely easy to drink, it has the perfect balance - not too heavy, yet bordering on a certain lightness. We enjoyed it with chicken and I feel it's easy enough to drink with white meat although would be very nice with ostrich too. I truly enjoyed this experience and look forward to doing it again. I feel the wine should be valued at R50 a bottle. So that's what I'll put into you account? Thanks again - I'm dying to read up on the site now, post my thoughts.
Gill
I find your wine to be a very nice wine with lots of fruit and a great mouth feel. I would pay R80.00 a bottle. I took two bottles to wine club last week and, unfortunately, there was a bottle variation between the two. It was not corked or oxidised but the one definitely tasted a lot better than the other. The general consensus varied regarding the prices. Most people thought it was a Shiraz. Even the so called experts. The chairman of the club said he would pay R40.00 another guy said between R50 - R60.00 and another said R60.00 - R70.00. The Marketing Manager of the wine estate that presented to us that evening said he thought it was between R90 - R100.00. So I am not sure where we end up now and what price you should charge. I then took it to a function two days later, more of a private party, and the price tag there was also about R80.00.
I have received a case of Malbec 2006 from High Constantia and he has charged me R79.00. So on that note I guess I should say it is in the region of a R70.00 wine because I think it is made for drinking now and in the next two to three years. Not for keeping, although, having said that, I am definitely going to try one every year for the next 4 years. If I do not drink it all before then. Can't wait to hear all the other comments you have received and are going to receive.
Cheryl
Congratulations on the recognition. I enjoyed The Spaniard and will order more as my friends who here cleaned me out. By the way I tested Batavia on dinner guests on Friday night and they all liked it so hopefully you will have more customers. I did it blind and asked the price question before revealing anything and R60.00 was the average of eight people. I have also sent a bottle to a friend in Sedgefield who has just gone back so expect his response soon.
Dean
The wine had an appealing deep ruby colour. On the nose I pick up subtle cigar box and earthiness/farmyard combined with good fruit and wood. Good intensity. The palate has good structure and balance with soft tannins, red berry flavours and slight sweetness. The oak comes through but not too over powering. Good mouth feel with a long finish. Drinking well now but will improve over the next year or two. Definitely a wine to be enjoyed with food. I scored the wine 16.5 and I would not hesitate to pay R60.00 per bottle. Will make the payment in the morning. Please send me your bank details so I can do an electronic transfer.
Dean
PIETER - I WOULD BE PREPARED TO PAY R59 PER BOTTLE
1st bottle - acidic , high alcohols ....something amiss ...like a Swartland cinsaut gone wrong !
2nd bottle much better !!! Dusty spicy plummy cloves and cinnamon - alcohols need a year or two to settle - some good sweet plums and raspberry fruit on palate - not a classic Bordeaux blend by any stretch - lacks some gravitas - but an enjoyable wine , especially with lamb, steak and pastas - price bracket R 50 > R 75 -
cheers - Des
I'd say that would be about R45 per bottle. Please can you send me your banking details to finalise payment.
Edwin
Will try and recollect my thoughts... We drank the wine with quite a few friends (some of them quite intrigued by your label/concept!) and the overall consensus was that the wine is pleasant to drink, although still a bit young, but should be promising in a few years time. We thought it would go well with a hearty pasta dish. The average pricing came out at R35/bottle (I have paid you for 12 bottles already). Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us!
Emma
OK, jy vra nou iets wat ek nog nooit gedoen het nie - om te skryf hoe ek 'n wyn beleef het... This is difficult, as I'm no wine expert, and have never been on any course or tasting where I've been "taught" how to appreciate wine, and to describe it and such. I drink it, and then decide whether I like it. Or not. I don't drink beer because I don't like the bitter taste. Same reason why I don't like rum. Will drink some brandies and whiskeys. I don't go for a name. If I like it that's good. If not, also. I don't drink an expensive wine because it is expensive, or leave a cheap wine because it is. I drink what I like. Or don't drink what I don't like. Cheap or expensive.
I like red wine especially, but don't drink enough. Sometimes not even once a month. I love Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinotage. And Shiraz. I don't particularly like a strong, overwhelming wine - don't quite know how to describe it. Some of the best were Middelvlei and Backsberg CS's. Can't remember the vintages, but they were both at least ten years old. But they were "soft", easy on the tongue, yet full of flavour. That's the best I can do to describe them.
I find the Batavia interesting. You mentioned varieties/cultivars you used in the blend that I don't even know - as I said I'm an ignoramus. I find a couple of different tastes and flavours, but can't describe them. (I've never been able to figure out how to taste berries or nuts or such in a wine! Maybe I need to go and learn.) Some of the flavours of complementing. but it is almost as if there's a clash as well. Personally I think that maybe the wine needs to lay down a bit and loose some of the sharpness, the edge, and mature a bit. So that's what I'll do with it. I'll try and drink one more in the coming months and then let the rest lay for a year or so and see again.
My wife and kids (15, 12, 10) didn't particularly liked it. The kids liked it to the extent that they drank what they had in their glasses but didn't ask more. They don't quite like dry reds so much - preferring sweeter wines - yet sometimes they'll ask for more.
The wife did take some more. I asked her (obviously) what she thought of the wine, but didn't tell her how/where I got it, nor why I was asking. Her answer: "It is OK, but I'll not rush out to the shops for another bottle."
I do not even know what wines cost in the shop as it has been some time since I shopped, but I do know that some are horrendously expensive. So I need to use your prices as a guide. I think I'll pay in the order of R45 a bottle for this. Maybe only R40. But I'll give you R45.
Do you think that is fair?
Marius
I shared a bottle with Mercia and 2 friends and all of us thought it to be very good, I must say my preference is still the wine I bought at your last talk at my Rotary club I'm at work and I don’t remember the name exactly its 94 or something like that.
I will pay R60.00 a bottle.
Please send invoice.
Gordon
After receiving the promised wine Friday afternoon, I couldn’t wait to get home and open the first bottle and do the “taste thing”!! I must admit – I did what you suggested and took a large gulp of the BATAVIA. At first I was a bit disappointed at the prickly feeling (almost as when you drink champagne), I got on my tongue, but after the second sip I think it was the nachos I had that was responsible for that feeling (or maybe the gulp was too big a gulp), but like I said the second sip was a whole different story. I absolutely love dry dry red wine, and this was it! Definitely not a party wine for me, but one that I would share with my loved ones. Enjoy it slowly, with good music, good cooked meal and good company. The price I would be willing to pay was a difficult one for me to decide on. Will I be too low a price, can there ever be a too high a price for good wine? I decided I would play it safe! I surely don’t want to disappoint you, but would suggest a price that would fit my pocket then, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to buy the wine in any case. So for this exercise I’m paying you R40 per bottle. Surely because of the blend it won’t surprise me if the price could go up to R55 – R65 per bottle. (Or maybe not, I’ll wait for the expert’s response).
Hear from you soon!
Greta
I really think that your Batavia is a top class wine. I tried it along with 3 other “blends” from WW. No comparison, I did notice that your wine tasted “a bit young” however the next evening after a long breathing period it had a much more “mature” taste. It’s my personnel unbiased option and I will definitely order some more. I think that R69.00 is a fair price to pay.
I have done a ETF
Regards
Henk
Already bought a case from you and its lovely - easy of the palate well rounded body.
Really glad I got some
Dorothea
Apologies for the delay but herewith my rather uninformed but if anything honest opinion. The wine seems a bit lighter as what I would have expected to the taste and I do detect a bit of a smokiness but in general I like it. I do think if it matures a bit more of the taste would develop and create a bit better palate to my personal preference anyway. As to price I would say in the R50-55 bracket would make me buy it.
All of the best and thanks again for the opportunity.
Johan
I enjoyed the wine as one would a good wine. Although the nose was not extraordinary, the first mouthful (and subsequent) was a pleasant surprise of almost spicy fruit, as was the rather intense burst of fruit as the wine left the mouth. For myself, and a couple of the many people we enjoyed sharing the wine with, I found the aftertaste a little on the sweeter side rather than the usual dryer fruity taste of more traditional Bordeaux’s – such as your “Midnight Call” (excellent value) and the Danie De Wet Limestone Bordeaux blend. As with most of the red wines we have purchased from you over the years we have found them to be really good value wines.
As for pricing, we had the small group on a lower price – R49 (preferring a more traditional Bordeaux) and a larger group who enjoyed the slightly sweeter aftertaste at a higher price of R56 per bottle – the average that I feel reasonable for this wine then would be around R53 a bottle . I will be ordering more of your Midnight Call and the Batavia later in the week.
Good luck and thanks for the great wines.
John
As mentioned I am not a normal red wine drinker-I was very taken with BATAVIA-smooth with no after bite as I often experience with reds. Great body and the aroma’s distinct and mellow. Now the big challenge as I do not know the red wine market that well-please invoice me for R500-with thanks
Please send me your banking details so I can deposit R780,00 for the dozen Batavia.
Thanks
Kevin
Thanks we really enjoyed it – and thought R60 a bottle was what it was worth to us.
Thanks
Laura
Hiers my shot... die probleem waarmee ek sit is dat ek nie jou aanbod vir die die boks wyn wil proe nie vir twee redes:
1. Ek het alreeds die wyn as geskenk vir my verjaarsdag ontvang by die maker daarvan
2. Ek dink nie ek sal dit kan bekostig wat ek daarvoor sal prys nie ;-)
............. lang storie kort. Dis ‘n flippen lekker wyn. Dit het uitstekend aangepas by ons aandete Vrydag aand en het die ete gekomplimenteer met ‘n smaak vanuti die boonste rakke. Thanx daarvoor!
As ek nou regtig moet eerlik wees is my prys so +- R47.50 as ‘n minimum maar sou bereid wees om oor die R55 daarvoor te betaal.
Bless jou boeta!!!
Phillip
Die Batavia was weereens van hoogstaande gehalte, alhoewel ek oersoonlik meer van The Spaniard hou.
Kommentaar van ‘n paar van ons: 7 uit 10 in algemeen.
Die wyn is baie vrugtig, maar nie overwhelmingly nie. Middelpallet verdwyn, maar die wyn “last/ linger” op die pallet. Die hout karakter kom goed na vore. Daar is ‘n effe soet sensasie, wat nie suikers is nie. Prys: R59.
Vriendelike groete,
Piet.
Ek en 3 vriende het vrydag aand 'n blind tasting met Batavia en 3 ander Bordeaux blends gedoen... en ons het almal soos een man vir Batavia gestem vir eerste plek. That said, daar was omtrent R100 verskil tussen die top wyn en die goedkoopste wyn en daarom sal ons jou wyn bokant die derde bottel plaas wat die Beyerskloof Synergy was vir R72. Ons het dus besluit dat R85 'n geskikte prys vir jou nuwe release is. Nie een van ons is naby aan 'n wynkenner nie mar ons het almal gevoel dat Batavia as "kwalitiet" beskryf kan word. Onafhanklik of dit nou jou smaak of styl of voorkeur is - dis duidelik dis 'n kwaliteit wyn.
Dankie weereens vir die kans om te help prys - ons het baie fun gehad!
Riana
I had the most fantastic time playing around with the Batavia this weekend. Unable to wait for a weekend with friends, I popped the first bottle last week. I thought it had rich, dark fruits at first but with a moccha/chocolate toasted-wood taste dominating. Gentle tannins, soft fruit... quite a short finish. The rest of the bottle uncorked 24 hours later) developed beautifully. It became even more velvety with a taste that lingered on the palate. So I passed a bottle on to my dad, who's a huge fan of the coffee/pinotage style of wine, who drank it against a bottle of the KWV Cafe Culture Pinotage. A man of few words, he said "Smooth." :) He found the taste more subtle, but the wine far more mature than the KWV. Thumbs up all around, and he (a wine bargain hunter) priced it at somwehere between R39 and R50. Then on the weekend I did my little blind tasting with a few mates. I had to grab what I had on the shelf in a hurry and picked. Here's what they had to say about taste, food and price.
1. Zandfliet My Best Friend Red 07
- Dusty nose/old books, very dry. Very easy drinking/not too heavy.
Have with bolognaise, chicken
Price: R30 R35 R40
2. Kleine Zalze Pinotage 07
- No nose at all, round, soft, elegant/light. Delicate taste. Quite watery.
Have on its own with fish
Price: R35 R40 R17.50 in beteen the tussies and the chateau lib. :)
3. The Batavia
Coffee MMMMmm buttery deep, dark, pungent fruits, fruity, (SO buttery). Soft, LOVELY!
Have with: Something heavier like a T Bone steak chocolate chili number.
Price: R40-50 R45 R53
The Batavia was by far the best in show (and I think everyone was relieved that they hadn't insulted the one they were meant to be appraising that evening!) This was a blast, thanks. I'm pricing it at R50 if that's OK?
I had a blast. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
Sarah
Thanks for the wine. Delivery within 2 days... And then to find the right moment for the opening- which was a Friday night just after I lit the fire. I was preparing the food for the braai and had the wine next to me, took good solid sip, and wham. This isn’t for drinking while prepping food, it’s for sitting down and appreciating. So I turned up the music and enjoyed it by myself for a few minutes. Beautiful, strong, smooth. I can taste it again right now. Thank you. Friends arrived and we appreciated it some more throughout the evening. My thoughts are R65.00 per bottle. Send over the invoice and delivery.
All the best and keep well. Hope we can catch up in Dec/January. We in `CT then. Will let you know more in a few days. Have to head off into the bush for a few days.
Shem
Ek het ongelukkig nie kans gehad om jou wyn behoorlik te oordeel nie. Ek is self nie ‘n kenner nie en kan daarom nie net drink en besluit nie. Ek het twee bottles saam geneem Inhaca eiland toelaas naweek. Een van die ouens wat saam was is in die wynbedryf en het gedink die wyn is ordinêr en in die R25 tot R30 klas. Die ander het dit geniet sonder om ‘n mening te gee oor die waarde. Ek koop gereeld ander tipes wyn in die R40 klas, en dink nie hierdie kom heeltemal daar iut nie. Ek dink R35 is wat ek daarvoor sal betaal
Theo
I took 3 bottles with me, which I shared with my Dad, and another bottle I shared with a German friend – we all found it immensely drinkable! It had a nice body, but at the same time did not require food accompaniment. Not a wine that I would lay down for years to come – it’s too nice to keep anyway. I would say it’s worth around R500 a case to me – about R42 per bottle. I would buy it again, and recommend it to friends.
Regards,
Wendy
Thank you again for the opportunity to taste the BATAVIA red wine. Really a great experience for me! As said in a previous e-mail to you, a good drinking wine to enjoy with loved ones, having a good cooked meal, settled with some nice music and having a nice calm and peaceful dinner! Not a party wine, it is much more worth, than having it drinking as quickly as a cheapie “wine-in-a-box”. My first gulp was a bit strong and sharp on the tongue, but I think the gulp was to big – thereafter – really really tasty!! Had some friends taste it as well, and was very much impressed, they could not believe the blends you used to put together BATAVIA. I did not tell the friends what I offered to pay you, and they were prepared to pay up to R55 – R60 per bottle. I only offered R40, and that is what I paid you! Sorry if it was not enough, I just thought I pay what I can afford, rather than not being able to have the wine. For this experiment I suppose it could work, surely in real life – this wine would be much more! I haven’t seen it at our Woolies in Louis Trichardt yet! Payment of R540 was made into your bank account on 23 November 09, reference GRETA
Greta
Ek kan vir jou sê dat die Batavia my laat dink aan my vrou en ons huwelik, ongeag die tyd of plek of onstandighede, sy is vir my die samevating van alles wat goed en mooi is!!! Maar ek is ‘n man in eenvoud en al wat ek te sê het van Batavia is dat dit ‘n baie lekker drink wyn is vir enige geleentheid. Dit los ‘n gemaklikheid met lekker sluk. Ek sal met gemak R70 per bottel betaal.
Groete
Koos
Your case of Batavia was received late last week, and we had a meeting of our local wine circle on Friday so I was pretty busy. The objective was to take a couple of bottles along for the crowd to taste but in all the excitement it didn’t happen, unfortunately. My wife, Rose, and I have tried two bottles, blind, and have been impressed both times. Rose has a better palate than me but is a bit lazy. Our impressions are that it is an excellent blend which is drinking very well now, and will probably go a couple of years – time will tell. Tasting it blind we missed the Pinotage component, it may take a bit more work on our part. I am currently wrestling with the payment project. In the interim I have ordered a couple of mixed cases of your Joel, Midnight Call and Spaniard. The Moment of Silence was brilliant but far too tempting so we flattened the case much before my initial intention. I have had a love affair with Bordeaux styles, both red and white for years, but am being weaned more and more to the Rhône style blends. It is still my intention to get you to present a tasting to our wine circle, I don’t know how frequently you tear yourself away from that lovely part of the world but we meet on the third Friday of every month between February and November. We generally have about 40 people at our meetings.
Pete
Thanks for sending the wine, I shared it with many friends and we really really enjoyed it and we had a few enjoyable evenings thanks to the excuse that we have to send feedback about this wine :) A chocolate/coffee taste/smell/note (I don't know all the correct terms) could be tasted, but it was nice and soft and not overpowering. The wine was well-rounded and some of us feel would taste even better after a year or two. We had it with pasta the one night, which was nice. The acidity is not as high as the typical Italian wines, so I enjoyed it more. We had it with beef fillet another night. Also great together, it even went well with the dark chocolate for dessert. Really versatile!
A couple of us also did a blind tasting the one night as you suggested. We compared it to Conradie Pinotage (R50), Diemersfontein Pinotage (2008) (R85), Boschendal Lenoy (?) and (Robertson Winery) Barista (R40). We have a bigger one with more of my friends planned for the 12th, I didn't realise the cut-off time for feedback is now. We will still do it though, and I will send you any interesting feedback from that tasting!
Anyway, I am not a wine guru, I just know what I like and what I don't and I really liked the Batavia. It is definitely a wine I would buy again. Our 'tasting panel' rated it as willing to pay between R40 and R50, so I think R50 per bottle is fair. Thanks once again that I could be part of this experience and looking forward to all your future wines! :)
Kind Regards,
Wineen
I’ve had mixed feedback on the wine, but the consensus – unfortunately – is that it is definitely not one of your better wines. Personally, I think it has great potential, and will be really divine in a couple of years (probably 5 to 7 or so), once it’s had a chance to settle a bit. Tasting feedback has largely centred around it having a very strong alcoholic nose, and the tannins being too strong, creating a lingering bitterness on the palate and in the mouth. Decanting hasn’t helped, though comments were definitely more favourable when tasting a bottle that had been left to stand open for two or three days first. I’ve had mixed comments about body, from “thin”, to “too strong”, so nothing useful to pass on there, I’m afraid. The wine was tried with a variety of foods (curry, stew, braai, roast, lamb, beef, pork, fish and vegetables), but didn’t really “click” with any of them, although it paired better with the stronger flavoured foods, particularly the braaied meats (which were heavily salted and spiced) and wasn’t too bad with seared fresh tuna. Was a disaster with the curry (tried with both Malay and Indian styles), and ok (but not great) with the stew and veg dishes.
In its current state, I’d probably pay about R35 in a Pick ‘n’ Pay or Checkers for a bottle, and might go back to pick up a couple more to see if it realises its aging potential, so that’s what I’ll pay you. If it was already there (ie already aged 5-10 years), I think it would fetch R200 easily. As it is, I’m going to lay what’s left of the case down, and haul it out in a couple of years – will let you know then. Incidentally, I’m down to my last few bottles of the very first wine I ever bought from you, around 2004 – the ISA 42 – most of which I laid down at the time, and it has turned into an absolutely superb wine! Regards,
Kerry
It’s been a bit hectic (that time of the year!) and have not been able to sit down with a couple of mates to enjoy a good tasting session. I have however opened a bottle and shared it with my wife. We compared it with "Inkspot", and the Batavia came close. The colour looks good, the initial taste was a bit backward but opened up later. The finish was nice, not long lasting. A pleasant wine with a good steak. I would offer R48: per bottle. Pieter please send the invoice, I will be away until 6th December. I will eft the amount to you then. Thanks for the opportunity
Gavin
Ek is hoegenaamd nie goed met wynpryse bepaal nie, maar laat ek probeer: Ek het die Batavia met die Midnight Call vergelyk, en ook met Eye of the Storm – nie om enige ander rede as dat ek hulle hier het nie.
Het ook tussenin 2004 Bon Courage Cabernet en ‘n spul 2003 Zandvliet Shiraz gedrink – wat sekerlik ‘n onregverdige vergelyking sou wees. Die Midnight Call is vir my effe lekkerder as die Batavia, maar hy is dan ook “grênder”.
Ek dink so R46 per bottel? Of is ek te “cheap”? Laat my weet? Groete,
Hendrik
I am so happy for you...I think they both deserve 5 stars!!!! I've got a friend who opened a Belgium coffee/restaurant shop in Edenvale - she would like to sell your wines by bottle/ by glass ( she is also a fan of yours) ... PS Batavia will do well as well....I loved it as much as your other wines -
Take care
Ann
As I said I was going to do, I tested the Batavia against a Spier blend (2004)(R 50 wholesale- a steal) and against Zonnebloem Shiraz (2006) (widely available) . There were eight people in the blind tasting and Batavia beat the Zonnebloem but was clearly not in the league of the Spier. I hope that the input will be useful. Regards,
Andre
Ons het toe vrydag aand die wynproe gedoen soos jy voorgestel het met die Batavia. Ons was 6 mense. Almal behalwe een het die Batavia as by verre die nommer een gestem. Vir die ander persoon was Batavia nommer 2. Die prys was almal voorgestel het was tussen R 45 en R50. Ek stem vir R50. Keep on keeping on ;-)
Alwyn
I am not a wine expert, but the wine is nice and my wife likes it too, especially after letting the bottle breath for half an hour....
I think R40 is a reasonable price.......
Thank you
Koos
I would say it is worth about R50 - R60 a bottle. I am new to the tastings, etc, but we really enjoyed the wine. My Mom and her husband (from Strand) was visiting and enjoyed it as much as we did. I also gave them a bottle to take back with them to Strand. She will also contacting yourself regarding a possible wine tasting evening for them at Serenitas, Strand. She has your telephone number. Her name is Gussie Basson.
Regards/Beste Wense
Susanne
Sorry for the late reply. I was on training and missed the deadline on your mail. But here it is in any case: I LOVE THE WINE!!!!!!! The difficult part for me is to put a price on something that I like so much. What a dilemma! I feel from a consuming side to say “make this a R10.00 bottle” so that I can keep on buying without looking at my wallet. The reality however is that this wine, on the way that I enjoyed the blend, is worth much more. I would easily pay R90.00 to R110.00 for a bottle of wine of the same quality in a good restaurant. So where does it leave me in deciding what to pay…. Well, I’ve had ? wine at R28.00 and Merlot blends at R38.00. This however should be in the R50 –R55 range according to me. I would think that a price tag of R52.00/bottle would entice me to order more.
I would like to see the result of this exercise when the “true” price is revealed.
Regards,
Danie
Apologies for my late reply. I have tried the BATAVIA and found it very pleasant. I had a small cheese and wine eve with some of my mates and they also extended favourable comments.
To identify a reasonable realistic price for the BATAVIA benchmarked it to the Thelema Mountain Red 2005, which happens to be one of my favourites. Thus price wise I would say R55 per bottle
Regards
Ed
loved the wine and I think R 60.00 is on the low side - R 70.00 is a good price I think ( when compared to the other wines you have released)...hope it helps
Take care and have a stunning day -
Ann
Ek is nou nie die soort wynkenner(of proe-er) wat jou gaan tevrede stel met my siening oor die wyn nie, maar here goes, ek het Spaniard voor Batavia geproe en sommer die bottel sy boom laat sien (Bevonkte wyntjie). Batavia het die eerste proe-proe vir my 'n franc smaak gehad, maar met die 2de bottel het ek dit ge-decant in 'n glas decanter met 'n glas geslypte prop en die volgende aand toe kon ek ook hierdie wyn nie met rus laat nie. So wanner jy hierdie eienaardigheid klaar bepyns het stel ek voor vir 'n prys van R50-R55 per bottel. Laat weet wat die algemene siening van die ander mense was. Dankie vir die baie goeie wyne wat jy maak. Ek wag om te hoor van jou.
Dirk
I must apologise for not getting back to you! No excuse but I have been up to Johannesburg for a wedding and then on to Kruger for a week arriving back late Tuesday (to a VERY busy time in the practice!) Took 2 bottles of Batavia up to have in the Kruger while braaing. Nose – such wonderful aromas ...berries but something that I cannot put my finger on??? Perhaps a varietal that is unfamiliar to me Yes the taste. I think it is one of your best! Full bodied, well balanced. Good flavours, again berries. Wood comes through. But again something that I do not know. Cinsaut in the blend???? Surely there must be cabernet??? Just cannot wait to hear. Price – I know that it costs to produce a good wine. But then again your overheads must be on the low side. So how much would I pay???? Do you think R65 is too little? If it cost more I would be happy to pay. I’m off home now and will open another bottle of Batavia and dream on the night up in the Kruger........
John
How do I pay Pieter? - I'll pay R 70.00 - hope this is not too low - Take care
Ann
Last evening my wife and I tasted it and finished the bottle. I put it at R65- a bottle. Sorry not to have been able to participate more extensively.
Cheers
John
Die wyn is net so goed soos die voriges
Minstens R50 sou ek sê
Oom rocco
i am in hospital. i would say R30.00 per bottle
paul
Thanks - I will transfer funds through before the end of the day. Happy to pay you for the (case of 6 R225) or R450.00 (inclusive of delivery ?). Hope that's a fair price? It's a lovely wine for my taste - but I am a social drinker and usually prefer Red. Please let me know if your banking details remain the same.
Best regards
Dorothea
