Mullineux Schist and Granite 2010

Swartland-based Mullineux is one of the most respected of the new wave of South African wine estates, and in the 2012 Platter Guide they achieved a remarkable clean sweep of three out of three five star wines.

Last year they added two more wines to their portfolio: a pair of high-end Syrahs named ‘Granite’ and ‘Schist’. [...]

The South Africa Wine and Spirits Board reject Craig Hawkins Cortez Chenin Blanc 2011 for a second time!

I have written before about how export approval systems in New World wine-producing countries can hinder producers who operate outside the commercial norms (here: http://www.wineanorak.com/exportapproval.htm)

It’s a big problem for natural winemakers. You make a really good wine, have customers abroad clamouring to buy it, and you can’t sell it because a group of conventionally minded winemakers [...]

Lunch at the Glasshouse, Kew, with Brian and Marion Smith of Elgin Ridge

Kew’s Glasshouse has to be one of the best places to lunch in London. It’s the sister restaurant to the equally impressive La Trompette in Chiswick, and together this pair of gems gives those of us out west reason to feel grateful. They both possess brilliant wine lists alongside highly creative and utterly delicious cooking, and [...]

Sink the Pink Pinotage!

I’ve ranted here before about how stupid the export approval systems in some countries can be. They are well intentioned: for a wine to be exported from South Africa and New Zealand, it must pass a taste test. The idea is that this keeps bad wines from being exported and letting down the country’s reputation, [...]

Two great older whites: Burgundy and South Africa

Had these two fabulous older whites, and thought they deserved a blog post of their own. Both have aged beautifully.

Domaine Marc Morey 1er Cru Virondot Chassagne Montrachet 1999 Burgundy, France
Toasty, taut and complex with spicy notes and fresh citrus, as well as some bready character. Satisfying and broad with real finesse and good acidity. 94/100

Klein [...]

Video: Lammershoek's beautiful vineyards

A short film of Lammershoek’s vineyards, which I find rather beautiful. They’re just typical of the Swartland, with most of them dry-grown bush vines.

Only in the Swartland: Hárslevelű and an underwater wine

I have just written up my visit to Swartland producer Lammershoek, which you can read here.

It was unusual for two reasons. First of all, they’re making a new series of wines, called ‘Cellar Foot’. These are heaven for wine geeks: oddities bottles in small quantities. I tried one, as yet unreleased example: a varietal Hárslevelű, [...]

Video: making wine and visiting vineyards at Kanonkop

Really enjoyed visiting Kanonokop last week. I shot a film of the very traditional winemaking that takes place here, as well as looking at the old Pinotage vineyards.

 

Lunch with some interesting back-vintage South African wines

Higgo Jacobs, Richard Kershaw, Tim Atkin, Monty Waldin and Robin von Holdt

Some notes from the Top 100 South African Wines judges’ welcome lunch last Sunday, here at Rodwell House, St James.

It was a relaxed affair and Robin brought out quite a few older vintages of some rather good South African wines. A good start [...]

The Top 100 South African Wines, day 1

The view from Rodwell House, St James

A busy day here in St James, judging the Top 100 South African Wines competition.

I was judging with Greg Sherwood and Duncan Savage. It was a really fun day. Lots of good wines, and we’re looking forward to trying more over the next couple of days. Time for [...]