So I arrived in Cape Town this morning, picked up a tiny, under-powered rental car, and headed out to Riebeek Kasteel, in the Swartland. Tomorrow, the Revolution begins. I got…
The Liberator, an impressive South African red
Richard Kelley MW popped round tonight to drop off a mixed case of Cotat. He also brought along two wines that he has sourced himself from South Africa and which…
Video: tasting three rather interesting Chardonnays
A short film of me tasting three interesting Chardonnays, two from Australia and one from South Africa.
Eben Sadie and 10 years of Columella
Yesterday I attended a brilliant tasting. It was a vertical of Eben Sadie’s Columella, hosted by the man himself. Columella is Eben’s signature wine. It’s a Syrah with a dash…
The South African Top 100 results are announced
It was only a few weeks ago that I was one of the small international team judging the new South African Top 100 competition. It was a competition that begin…
A pair of Hamilton Russells
I’m a great fan of taking time to get to know wines. Most of the wines featured here on this blog have been drunk, as opposed to those brief sniff…
Visiting Constantia (2): Steenberg
The second visit in Constantia was Steenberg. Part of the Graham Beck empire, they are one of South Africa’s most celebrated producers, especially well known for their whites (including Sauvignon…
A remarkable Chenin Blanc
This is a superb wine. Now almost 7 years old, and developing beautifully. At 13% alcohol, it’s not one of the overblown, ripe styles. Instead, it’s fresh, ripe and textured…
Visiting Constantia (1) – Klein Constantia and making Vin de Constance
On Friday most of the judges from the Top 100 visited two wineries in nearby Constantia. First up, Klein Constantia, who make the wonderful sweet wine Vin de Constance. Winemaker…