Thursday, August 30, 2018

Tasting the wines at Newton Johnson

A stunning winter view from the Newton Johnson tasting room overlooking their vineyards as the stormy weather comes in.  We had stayed the night in the valley, as we had a media event at Benguela Cove starting at 11 and had some spare time before that - and it was very cold in the cottage we borrowed from dear friends
A grey and wet day
An unusual planter
What better than to start the day with sunshine in a bottle, the Felicité 2018 Shiraz Rosé. This lipstick pink wine is floral, with violets & raspberries. Dark cherry, berry fruit, the raspberry cordial from one's childhood, but with good crisp acidity; it's a good food wine. Roll on summer. R70
Then another newly released wine, the Felicité Chardonnay, unoaked, the grapes from Worcester area. A golden fruit nose of peaches, slightly Chenin like, it has a crisp prickle on the tongue, a lovely mouthfeel and a good fruit acid balance with limes and grapefruit. R70
The 2018 Sauvignon blanc needs a bit more time to gather its skirts together, being newly released and seems a bit bottle shocked. Give it a week or two! Crisp limes and green notes. R100
The 2017 Southend Chardonnay is perfumed with peaches and nectarines, rounded with layers of fruit and wood just ably supporting a lovely wine R180
We had to taste the Full Stop Rock as we recently opened an older bottles and it was very enjoyable.  Its a blend of Syrah 80%, Grenache 15% and Mourvedre 5%. Beautiful fruit on the nose, raspberry, mulberry and some herbal notes on both  nose and palate This big wine has soft sweet fruit with a zing and some spice, chewy tannins and is a definite food wine. Of course we bought some and the Southend Chardonnay

Raindrops on Restio reeds

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