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A Century of…Fours
France: Bordeaux, featured, South Africa, France: Burgundy
, Jun 2024
Century of Fours examines vintages ending in four and adds historical context via a parallel timeline of the FA Cup Finals from 1904 to 2014. It is two journeys through time for the price of one.
Cellar Favorite: 1930 KWV Muscadel Bin 14 Late Bottled Vintage
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, May 2024
Ancient South African ports have a cult following, and though they are not cheap due to demand, they represent outstanding value compared to other wines.
White-on-White: Porseleinberg 2010-2020
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, South Africa
, Nov 2023
Among South Africa’s clutch of world-class Syrah, Porseleinberg is regarded as the best. So what better than a vertical of every vintage to date tutored by winemaker Callie Louw?
The A to Z of South Africa
featured, South Africa
, Nov 2023
Who knew that South Africa is a polymath: a dab hand at whites, reds, dry, sweet, Pinot, Cabernet (and Rugby World Cup champions)… My annual report gathers new releases from the country’s finest producers, discussing current issues covering everything from A to Z.
Vinous Table: FYN, Cape Town, South Africa
South Africa, Vinous Table
, Sep 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed FYN. I appreciated the buzz about the place. There were a couple of dishes where, with background knowledge of Japanese cuisine, I might tweak a couple of things. Still, overall, this kaiseki-Cape fusion is imaginative and, most importantly, delicious.
Cellar Favorite: 1997 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Sep 2023
Rewind to the mid-nineties, South Africa is basking in the afterglow of the dissolution of apartheid dissolution and Nelson Mandela’s election as President. After decades of selling wine domestically, South Africa’s wine industry is suddenly exposed to a competitive, global market, often under governmental control. Among a vast ocean of turbo-charged Bordeaux blends, the 1997 Syrah from Boekenhoutskloof is sui generis and becomes one of the Cape’s most iconic, mythical wines.
Half-Century - Not Out: Kanonkop 1973-2015
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, South Africa
, Jun 2023
Stellenbosch stalwart Kanonkop celebrated a half-century of bottling their own wines with a retrospective tasting in London that traveled all the way back to that historic inaugural vintage.
Cellar Favorite: 2004, 2006 & 2009 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Jun 2023
The inspiration for this Cellar Favorite was a sublime bottle of 2006 Semillon from Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek’s leading producer.
Vinous Table: Eike, Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Africa, Vinous Table
, Nov 2022
Eike lived up to expectations – the food was just delicious and exhibited just the right amount of flair whilst keeping it “real”.
Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022
featured, South Africa
, Sep 2022
Returning after lockdown, I sought to take the temperature of South Africa’s ever-changing vinous landscape: walking vineyards, meeting winemakers and marvelling at wines that quicken the pulse. What are the roots of its success? Where are the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead? It’s time to find out.