We visited Yonder Hill in the Helderberg ward of
Stellenbosch on Saturday with our wine club. The Cellarmaster here is Abé
Beukes
They made room for our large
party in their tasting room and we had a wonderful time tasting the wines. They had also laid on a lovely cheese platter for us and we were given gifts of
their olive oil from the farm owner, Mr Naude, who has recently sold his Olyfberg farm, whiuch has always produced a great oil. A lovely warm welcome
We loved the 2018 Rosé made
from Merlot and Grenache, juicy, elegant and dry, R75. The crisp Sauvignon blanc
is a typical one from Stellenbosch; lots of tropical fruit with some crispness, R70. The Merlot 2013 is a big wine with lots of tannins for ageability, R200.
Warm and complex on the palate, layered, with some green cassis leaves on the
end. The 2014 is lighter, less grippy with some chalk on the end. The Inanda
blend 2014 is soft and sweet on entry, dark liquorice, burnt caramel wood in the
middle, toast on the end, R130. The 2015 is light and sweet with green leaves
and berry fruit. The Nicola 2015 is the star of the show: Rich on the nose,
lovely sweet ripe fruit, layered, dark berries, licorice, salt, dark toast on
the end. Scored 18/20, R400. And the 2016 is a very close second, with violets
and vanilla on the nose, again sweet berry fruit, long flavours, some gentle
chalky tannins
Some beautiful pincushion
proteas in the garden
We needed lunch, so a booking
had been made at nearby Eikendal
Giovanni’s Restaurant
Lots of tables, many people,
long waits and lovely sunshine
Often
Inside the restaurant
Inside the Eikendal tasting
room
A family favourite
We had a very long table
And an extra guest below, at
his Mum's feet
Some enjoyed a bottle of the
Rosé. It did take nearly an hour and a half for our food to arrive, but they
were very, very busy. We had a helpful waiter. We got it just in time, as we had
to rush of home to meet friends who were coming to stay for the night after we had all attended the Veritas Awards dinner
Lynne chose the Avocado, bacon
and mozzarella salad
John a Quattro Stagione Pizza
(no mushrooms)
and enchanting little people
were very happy playing in the sandpit
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2018
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