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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
Cellar Favorites, cellar favorite, 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 Favorites, cellar favorite, 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
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 Favorites, cellar favorite, 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 Favorites, cellar favorite, South Africa
Sep 2022
,Porseleinberg leads an impressive and growing fleet of world-class Syrah/Rhône blends from South Africa.