Chatting to assistant winemaker Justin Jacobs in the
tasting room
An interesting well
wooded Semillon still shy on the nose with hints of nougat. Crisp full
mouthfeel, as expected, on Semillon. White peaches, nougat and unusually light
litchi and hibiscus flower tea hints
and their 2012 Grand Duc
wooded Chardonnay, which is crisp and elegant with lots of depth of flavour. 18
months on 100% new French oak is just there as a gentle backbone and is full of
golden delicious apples, lime and cooked pears. Deserves an award or two and lots of stars.
Then their Merlot 2011
Nose full of berries and cherries. Tasting of ripe plums mulberries with amami
savouriness and beautiful fruit layers.
This would go so perfectly with lamb in all its guises. No greenness, no
mint, no stalkiness.
We had the opportunity
to taste their 2012 Shiraz which was only filtered on Friday. Incense wood,
sweet juicy fruity, licorice, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg point to a very
drinkable spicy shiraz.
We really liked
the2011 Grand Duc Syrah and awarded it
five stars. Notes of balsam, rich fruit
on the nose, cassis and blackberries.
Also given 18 months on 100% new French oak, it does not taste
overwooded. Mouth filling fruit washes
the whole palate with cassis and a little spice. A beautifully balanced
wine. Wish we could afford it, we have
to make a plan.
The new restaurant logo
on the menu. A branch of Le Bon Vivant in Franschhoek has replaced the Japanese restaurant which was there previously
Ducks next to the garden
pond (Egyptian Geese are actually ducks)
A view of the farm from the road
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013
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