Chris Groenewald was in town, bringing nine South African Syrahs with him. So a crowd of us gathered over lunch at The Drapers Arms to taste and drink. These are…
Two interesting South Africans: Reyneke Reserve 2012 and Hanneli R 2013
Two very interesting South African wines to report on here. The first is from one of my favourite producers, Reyneke. They are one of just three biodynamic wineries in the…
Two from Handford: Schaal Confluence and Garnacha not Guerra
I popped into Handford Wines yesterday to say hello to Greg Sherwood, and have a look round. If there is a merchant in London who has a better array of…
Cape Wine (7) some more highlights
Some more of the goodies tasted at Cape Wine. Some old friends and new acquaintances. Carinus Rooidrai Chenin Blanc 2017 Swartland, South Africa From 37 year old vines, this is…
Cape Wine (6) exploring Italian grape varieties in South Africa
What is it with Italy’s grape varieties? They are really interesting in Italy, but seldom travel well. Still, they attract their devotees, and they are planted in a range of…
Cape Wine (5) more highlights, including Craven, Alheit, Savage, Testalonga, JH Meyer
Some more stunners from Cape Wine. Craven The Firs Vineyard Syrah 2017 Devon Valley, South Africa 12.5% alcohol. From a heavy clay outcrop: the clay gives some black fruit bass…
Cape Wine (4) some more very exciting wines: Rall, Leeu Passant, Loggerenberg, Kanonkop, Badenhorst
Some more thrilling wines tasted at Cape Wine. For me, these are very high ratings indeed! Leeu Passant Chardonnay 2016 Stellenbosch, South Africa Andrea Mullineux is trying to make this…
Cape Wine (3) some highlights: Hogan, Savage, Blackwater
So many good wines tasted over the last few days! I’m going to write up notes on some of my favourites, but really it seems unfair just to pick out…
Cape Wine (2): an astonishing tasting of old reds from the 1950s and 1960s
Put on by The Whole Bunch crew (a newly formed association of some of the Cape’s most exciting producers), this was a remarkable and thrilling tasting. The wines come from…