There’s not much Gamay in South Africa – just 13.3 hectares planted. It’s for this reason that Alex Dale wasn’t keen for me to reveal to the world the location of the two vineyards he sources this wine from. It’s freshly bottled, and needed decanting before we tasted it, but this really is a lovely wine, even this early on in its life. Alex also makes a brilliant Cinsault under the same ‘The Thirst’ label.
Radford Dale The Thirst Gamay Noir 2015 Western Cape, South Africa
Very fruity, lively nose with red cherries and plums, and a bit of that carbonic maceration florality. The palate is juicy and delicious with vibrant red cherries, some spiciness, and just a little grip. It’s not trying to be serious, but isn’t just a simple glugger, either. 90/100
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- Gamay 1 – RPM Gamay Noir California
- Gamay 2 – Domaine Metrat Chiroubles ‘La Scandaleuse’
- Gamay 3 – Orofino, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
- Gamay 4 – Julien Sunier Fleurie
- Gamay 5- Radford Dale Thirst Gamay, South Africa
- Gamay 6 – Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernières ‘Les Impénitents’
- Gamay 7 – Hauts de Chasselay, Coteaux du Lyonnais
- Gamay 8 – Serol Les Originelles, Cote Roannaise
- Gamay 9 – Te Mata Gamay Noir, Hawkes Bay
- Gamay 10 – Puy de Dome, Auvergne
- Gamay 11 – Beauregard Fleurie
- Gamay 12 – Antoine Sunier Morgon 2014 and Regnie 2014
- Gamay 13 – Thibault Liger-Belair Les Roucheaux 2011
- Gamay 14 – Bow and Arrow 2014 Oregon
- Gamay 15 – Domaine de Fa Beaujolais en Besset 2014
- Gamay 16, Pearl Morissette Cuvée Mon Unique Gamay 2013
- Gamay 17, BK Wines et Le Grappin Les Deux Fous Gamay
- Gamay 18, G Spot Vin de…France, Beaujolais Villages
- Gamay 19, du Grappin Fleurie 2014
- Gamay 20, Lapierre Morgon 2014 ‘N’
- Gamay 21, Bass Phillip Gamay 2014 Gipplsand
- Gamay 22, Château de Durette Morgon ‘Hommage’ 2014
- Gamay 23, Joie Farm Gamay 2014 Okanagan, Canada
Hi Jamie, I believe < 10ha today in SA. We've planted a little since your post on the Thirst Gamay. Now part of Oddbins UK natural wine selection, which is great move on their part.
Subsequently, we've also released a new (and more premium) wine – Radford Dale 'The Antidote' Gamay Noir 2017.
It recently arrived in London with our distributor and we'd love to hear your thoughts.
Really enjoying the Gamay series. It's like discovering an epic tv series 10 seasons in, and bingeing for days.
All the best,
Tom Prior (Radford Dale)