Lindommer said:
Now the rugby's been decided the serious Tri Nations can start: the Tri Nations Wine Challenge starts today.
http://www.trinationswine.com/index.htm
One of my contacts in the wine trade asked me to volunteer to act as a steward for this year's event, she didn't have to ask me twice. Spent all day yesterday classifying and lining up about 350 wines in readiness for judging today. After the judging today and tomorrow we get the chance to taste the wines. No, no, not all 350!
Just those we take a fancy to.
Hard and dirty work, but someone's got to do it. Thomo, you got time to lend a hand?
Bastard. :angryfire:
On that list, and I'm only listing off the ones I've personally tried, I'd definitely try the Moreson and Graham Beck sparkling - both from the Drakenstein valley, both excellent. For mine, btw, the Simonsig Cuvee Royale, which isn't on that list, is better than either. They leave it one the lees for 6 1/2 years, and it's just perfect. It's so good you actually do sip it.
Anything from Ataraxia tends to be excellent. Ditto Hamilton Russel; both cool climate down by Hermanus.
SB's - Had the Rustenberg Brampton recently, and it was gorgeous, fresh and zingy, with a bit of minerality but not as aggressive as Kiwi ones. Great food wine, btw. Waterford are usually brilliant as well, as the Helderberg likes SB. I'd definitely try Tokara as well, and the Nederberg Private Bins are usually worth a peek at.
Do not, whatever you do, miss the Ken Forrester FMC Chenin Blanc. You'll love it. All SA Chenin Blanc tends to be good, and they're on a great run of form at the moment.
Pinot Noir - definitely try both Bouchard Finlayson, both Hamilton Russels and the Oak Valley. All cool down in the Hemel en Aarde valley. Meerlust is one of my favourite estates on the planet, so don't miss it.
Merlot - Thelema, definitely (they do one of the best SB's around, btw, so why it's not in here baffles me). Saxenberg, and, above all others, Meerlust.
Shiraz - Thelema is a cracker as well. La Motte is one I always like, as it's very European in style. Ernie Els I'd try as well as it can be very good - tried it recently, very peppery new-world in style. Don't miss the Groot Constantia - it's actually owned by the state, would you believe? Good ol' Simon... ;D
Cab Sauv - Definitely the Rustenberg Brampton. I loves it. Drink it a bit warmer than you'd expect, though. I'm not a huge fan of Guardian Peak, but I've never tried their Lapa, and it's the same lads who do Ernie Els and Engelbrech Els, so have a peal at it. The Nederberg Private Bins are very different beasties, so try them. Glen Carlou is usually a banker, try it.
Bordeaux Blends - now, this is where it gets fun. Try them all. 2004 was a great year. Don't miss Morgenster, compare it with Durbanville Hills from the Atlantic Coast, then compare it with Elgin Vintners - which is close, but the other side of Sir Lowry's Pass and up in the mountains and the cool. Compare it then with the Rustenberg John X. Merriman, which is nearer Stellenbosch. But, whatever you do, do not miss the Meerlust Rubicon. I rate it as being one of the best Bordeaux Blends on the planet. I love it. It'll age forever, but can be drunk now.
Blends - Rust en Vrede and Beyerskloof Synergy. Both Cape Blends - i.e., with pinotage. Anything by Beyers Truter will change your view of pinotage forever. They're both incredible wines, but the Synergy is outrageously cheap for a wine like that. Fairview is excellent as well, made up in the Swartland, on the cool west coast - very interesting contrast, spicy and fruity as all get out. Don't miss the Boekenhoutskloof either, as Chocolate Block is another revelation of what pinotage can do in the right hands. Surprised no Kanonkop, to be honest.
Other reds - surprised, very, very, very surprised there's only one pinotage in there. I'd have had the Simonsig in there in a heart beat (I'd also have had their Frans Malan in the Cape Blends, btw), along with Beyerskloof. Try them all for interest - SA is doing some very interesting Cab Francs at the moment.
Desserts - Definitely the Paul Cluver Weisser Riesling, and the Ken Forrester T.
