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Cellar Favorite: 2004, 2006 & 2009 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Dec 2022
The inspiration for this Cellar Favourite was a sublime bottle of 2006 Semillon from Boekenhoutskloof, Franschhoek’s leading producer. Current winemaker Gottfried Mocke poured it after our tasting of recent releases, acting as evidence of how rewarding the Cape’s wines can be with age.
Vinous Table: Eike, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Vinous Table, South Africa
, 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.
Cellar Favorite: 1997 & 2009 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Sep 2022
The secondary market for South Africa’s most desirable top cuvées continues to see increasing numbers of collectors chasing diminishing supply. Buoyant interest in the Cape’s blue chips is a relatively recent phenomenon that has grown organically, pulled by demand rather than forced by supply. One coveted label is Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer.
Cellar Favorite: 2010 & 2011 Porseleinberg
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Sep 2022
Porseleinberg leads an impressive and growing fleet of world-class Syrah/Rhône blends from South Africa.
Back In Black: Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2006-2019
South Africa featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, South Africa
, Aug 2022
A vertical of South African Pinotage might sound like torture to some. When the wine is the Cape’s greatest Pinotage, then you understand why the room was packed for the first ever complete tasting of Kanonkop’s Black Label and why its owners and winemaker flew over for the occasion.
Cellar Favorite: Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1991-2019
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Jul 2022
Winemaker Matt Day, together with co-proprietor Hans Astrom, flew from South Africa recently to present a rare vertical tasting of their Vin de Constance that included the forthcoming 2019 vintage.
Cellar Favorite: 2018 Taaibosch Crescendo
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, May 2022
Whilst up to my neck in Bordeaux primeur samples, one sunny evening during a brief return home for Easter, I took a break from Cabernet and cracked open a South African wine that had been sent to my home, the 2018 Taaibosch Crescendo.
Cellar Favorite: Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 1981-2021
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, South Africa
, Mar 2022
Proprietors Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell recently tutored a special tasting of Hamilton Russell Vineyards’ flagship Pinot Noir to mark 40-years of vintages.
South Africa: 2021 New Releases from the Cape
featured, South Africa
, Nov 2021
The Cape continues to provide wine-lovers with a bevy of high quality wines that, without wishing to sound like a broken record, represent astonishing value-for-money. If you have not woken up to the quality in South Africa, then now is the time.