“Needs time” is one of the great euphemisms a taster can use when confronted by a young wine that he or she feels is not showing as well as it might. When I first encountered the 2009 vintage of Bowed Head Chenin Blanc from Graham Beck about two … [Read more...]
Amatra Chenin Blanc 2012
April 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Chenin Blanc from Elgin intrigues – might the ward’s cool-climate growing conditions result in greater purity and freshness than usual? Amatra 2012, made by Catherine Marshall, is indeed a wine (R85 a bottle from Wine Concepts in Newlands) for … [Read more...]
Cederberg Five Generations Chenin Blanc 2007
April 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The last vintage from “Grandpa Pollie’s 1978 vineyard” according to the 2009 edition of Platter’s . “Picked from 34-year-old vineyards” on the back label. 11 months in barrel, a third new. A subtle wet-wool note on an otherwise shy … [Read more...]
Betsie Says Cheers Chenin Blanc 2012
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The challenge to rehabilitate Chenin Blanc remains on-going but what if we positioned it as the ultimate wors-rol wine? Betsie Says Cheers Chenin Blanc 2012 (R98 a bottle from Manuka in Somerset West) is a collaboration between chef Bertus Basson and … [Read more...]
Hutcheson Port Colheita 1947
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Last night, a glass or two of Hutcheson Port Colheita 1947, still pretty impressive despite the bottle having significant ullage. The occasion was dinner at Waterkloof restaurant, hosted by Cees van Casteren to celebrate his Master of Wine … [Read more...]
DeMorgenzon Chenin Blanc 2007
December 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The accolades for DeMorgenzon Chenin Blanc just keep rolling in – 5 Stars for the maiden 2005 in Platter’s 2007, the 2009 placing among Wine Specator’s top 100 wines in 2011, the 2010 again 5 Stars in Platter’s 2013 and among Wine … [Read more...]
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