We don't often
go to the winelands at night, especially if it means driving in the home-going
traffic on the N1 or N2 and then driving home afterwards. But if one of our
favourite and well respected wine farms offers transport, we will consider it
very seriously. Which is why, last Wednesday, saw us on the road to the Hemel en Aarde for a tasting of Bouchard Finlayson’s wines on the farm. Yes, it was a
long trip, but yes, it was worth it
It was held in the vaulted tasting cellar which
was beautifully floodlit for the occasion
The welcome was with a glass of Bouchard's Blanc
de Mer, a quirky blend of Riesling and Viognier with a splash of Chardonnay and
a dash of Chenin Blanc. Very easy drinking, on many, many restaurant wine lists
because it goes so well with food, especially sea food. All the other wines
were placed on table around the room.
A selection of Riedel and Spiegelau glasses, all the appropriate
shapes for the different wines
Cellarmaster Peter Finlayson welcomes us and tells
us about what we will be tasting
Three magnums, three vintages of the Galpin Peak Pinot
Noir, 2004, 2006 and 2007. This elegant
wine is awarded four and a half or five stars in Platter each year and it is
well deserved. Full of cherries, dark berries, minerality and a good kick of
spicy acidity this is one that gets international recognition for the farm and
for the valley
The audience listens attentively
Peter took us back to the establishment of the
farm in 1989 when he and Burgundian winemaker Paul Bouchard (now deceased) began
by planting the vines and building the cellar. The farm which has 22 hectares
under vine, is now owned by the Tollman Family. It is run by Peter Finlayson
and Victoria Tollman
Three vintages (2007, 2008 and 2009) of magnums of the very elegant Sangiovese led Italianate blend, Hannibal. These wines just get better and better with age and are drinking so
well now
Sauvignon Blanc unwooded and unwooded, are such
good examples of what this grape can do. Three chardonnays, unwooded, wooded
and the complex, layered Mission Vale all impress. We also tasted the
Kaaimansgat Chardonnay and the award winning Tète de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot
Noir, which has years to go and was showing huge potential and strength
Assistant Winemaker Chris Albrecht chatting to a guest
Peter in discussion with one of the guests
Fellow travellers from Cape Town, Tony Da Costa and
Ezra from Liquor City, Claremont
© John & Lynne
Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2016
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