JUST IN FROM CAPE WINELANDS, SOUTH AFRICA! Transatlantic yogini. English sensibilities/American pioneer spirit. Love great stories & good wine. Editor 'Reds, Wh...
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
#wine Mud House Marlborough, NZ Sauvignon Blanc 2014: Grassy w/ light grapefruit on the nose; touches of lemon-lime rind on the palate - softened, balanced acidity (surprisingly so - perfect zest), medium body, refreshing finish. 13.0% abv. Dreaming of slightly nicer weather, garlicky prawns, mackerel, sardines or globe artichokes to go along with;). Thank you, dear Sylviane x — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
Cap Classique Colmant Brut Reserve NV 52% Pinot Noir 48% Chardonnay minimum 30 months on lees (traditional Champagne method). Slightly disappointing. A hair less acidity and would fall flat. Wisp of brioche on nose perhaps but any bright fruit - apples, citrus - not shining through as one would like in a young bubbly. Notable Belgian winemakers in Franschhoek since 2005. Maybe made for Woolworths - the grocery shop in Cape Town where we picked it up. Soldier (Dave Beall) gives it a 5; Priest (Gareth Stuart Powell) and Lady (Sophie Thorpe) a 6. 12.5% abv. Not the 'One' - best For Cocktails Only. — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
LOCAL & LOVELY Really enjoyed Peter Leitner's 100% Gruner Veltliner 2013 at his harvest LongTable event 2015. Also recommend his (med body red) Zweigelt. Austrian varietals working rather well in Hunterdon County, NJ terroir. — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
#wine Les Hauts de Pavieres Crozes Hermitage 2013. Lovely daily-drinking northern rhone Syrah. Dark black-berry chocolate fruit. 12.5% abv. Generously brought out by the Lady of the house, at Cherrymans;). — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
Last bottle opened at the house in Paarl 2012 100% Syrah in magnum from Fable Mountain, Tulbagh. Seriously well made wine. Full body. Ripe red and black fruit. Balanced luxurious palate. Will mature beautifully. Fab South African syrah will stand internationally. Get it if you can. — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
First Pinot Noir in South Africa (a welcome reprieve for a night). 2012 vintage from Elgin - where we are due to visit this week. Subtle aroma of baby diaper/powder ... nothing offensive;). Medium body. Moderate acidity. Apeing Oregon a tad; 13.5% abv. Coupled w/ ZA sustainably farmed trout and salad. Drink now possibly hold for a few more years. The priest (Gareth Stuart Powell) and soldier (Dave Beall) give it a 7. It's not Burgundy Premier Cru, but really rather good and great value in SA at under £10. — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
#wine Eric Rodez Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs #Champagne (Ambonnay): Sprightly and sophisticated. Fresh & dried red fruit on the nose; beautifully balanced (100% Pinot Noir across 5 to 6 vintages in 70% small barrels/no malolactic: bright, neither tart nor heavy cream on the palate - Goldilocks 'just right'). 12.0% abv. Shared on Easter Monday in good company, inclusive of Carthusian wine cellar chair, emeritus;). Thank you, Sophie x — 9 years ago
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
After tasting his iconic Columella and Palladius wines, among others, on Friday w/ leader of the Swartland Independent (a neighbouring producer actually called him 'baby Jesus';) Eben Sadie himself, we wanted to try - in its 12th and final release - the 2014 vintage (white and red) of his 'Sequillo' series. Latin for an 'arid, dry place of great purity' (apt description of Swartland terroir), the white is a blend of 7 varietals, unfined and unfiltered. Soft rounded aroma, medium acidity - little to no new oak. A very nice white wine, but understandable decision to focus on the best and the new. 14% abv. Recognizable by uniquely designed labels of Jackal Buzzards, we found our bottles at The Wine Kollective in Riebeek Kasteel. — 9 years ago
Jennifer Segal
Editor "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 Years of Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-tasting Competition"
Jennifer had this 9 years ago