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Vinous Table: La Petite Colombe, Franschhoek, South Africa
Vinous Table, South Africa
, Oct 2024
La Petite Colombe certainly ranks among the best meals of 2024, and it lives up to the billing. It showcases the dazzling array of ingredients around South Africa and neighboring countries, and the execution in the kitchen is quite brilliant.
South Africa: Where Are We Now?
featured, South Africa
, Sep 2024
As every surfer knows, at some point, the wave breaks. So, what do you do then? After years of almost breakneck progress and dynamism, South Africa’s wine industry has matured. The young guns are now grown-ups. While the future is unwritten, what is assured is a country producing world-class wine.
Cellar Favorite: 2017 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2024
In South Africa, there is a debate about whether the 2015 Paul Sauer is better than the 2017 or vice versa. They are both great vintages of one of the Cape’s icons.
Cellar Favorite: 2001 Rustenberg Peter Barlow
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2024
The 2001 Peter Barlow from Rustenberg was poured blind at a comparative tasting of South African Cabernets against Bordeaux during this year’s visit. The Peter Barlow acquitted itself admirably, even here, pitted against an impressive 2001 Léoville Las-Cases. The Peter Barlow is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate’s oldest vines, named after the man who bought the property back in 1941. This vintage was made by his son, Simon Barlow, while his grandson, Murray, has been the winemaker since 2012.
A Century of…Fours
France: Burgundy, featured, South Africa, France: Bordeaux
, 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
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, 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
Vinous Table, South Africa
, 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
South Africa, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, 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.