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…
Dinner at Dunc’s
Last night we had dinner in the home of Duncan Savage, from Cape Point. Duncan’s wife Zani very kindly cooked for 12 of us, which was very public spirited, and…
Some nice South African wines
So as well as judging (which is totally blind – we don’t even know the identity of the wines that have entered the competition), we’re managing to try some wine…
Tasting teeth after another day’s judging
Today has been hard work, but thoroughly enjoyable. Best of all, we are finding plenty of wines that we can stand behind as South Africa’s top 100. I have tasting…
A good day’s tasting
Today has been a very interesting day of tasting. It was the first day of judging the new South African Top 100 competition, held here in St James, Cape Town….
Glad to be back in South Africa
It’s nice to be back in South Africa. I arrived mid-morning along with Greg Sherwood and Sam Harrop. Together with Tim Atkin, who got here a little earlier, we are…
Seven Springs: an interesting new South African Sauvignon
Seven Springs is a new South African producer, located just outside the current boundaries of the Hemel en Aarde region near Hermanus. This is their debut wine, one of just…