I’m a big fan of Craig Hawkins’ Testalonga wines. They’re very brave and distinctive. He works pretty naturally, so the big question: how do they evolve? This one had evolved…
Video: judging the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc competition
Here’s a short film of the judging of the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc competition
A new ‘icon’ Chenin from South Africa: Dirty Little Secret
This is the much talked about high-end South African Chenin Blanc from one of the grape’s greatest ambassadors. I managed to catch up with Shawn Mathyse, a young winemaker who…
In South Africa: the Mullineux new releases
I visited the new tasting room at the Leeu Collection in Franschhoek, to taste through the new releases of the Mullineux wines. It’s a lovely space, with glass windows looking…
A lovely Loire Chenin: Richard Leroy Les Rouliers 2012
I’ve had this wine a couple of times now (both times at Noble Rot, but Sager & Wilde are also listing it). It’s a stunning wine that has the most…
Three lovely wines: Testalonga, Commando G and Domaine Labet
Had lunch at Moro today with Emily Harman and Laura Rhys. Mark Andrew was supposed to join, but he had to fill in for someone at Noble Rot, so after…
The remarkable Cortez 2014 from Testalonga
I’ve admired Craig Hawkins’ Testalonga wines for a while now. They are just so brave. And delicious. [See here, here and here for reviews.] This is his Chenin that’s made without…
Rêverie Chenin Blanc 2014 Swartland, South Africa
This was a new discovery at Cape Wine. It’s the Rêverie Chenin Blanc 2014 from an old vineyard (1978 plantings) in the Swartland. The soils? Pure granite, no irrigation, picked…
South African Chenin Blanc: some highlights from the Cape Wine beach party
These are some of the highlights from the Chenin Blanc beach party at Cape Wine, which I caught on Monday afternoon. It’s great that Chenin Blanc is now fully recognized…