We
have Time for Franschhoek Summer Wines
We
do love attending this annual festival in Franschhoek. It is well organised,
well attended, friendly and the wines are always impressive. This year many
were more than that. Yes it is hot, it’s the height of summer, but they do put up marquees
and lots of umbrellas
It
is held on the lawn at Leopards Leap Vineyards where there is plenty of
parking. Tickets were a very reasonable R220 pp this year. We were invited to
come along and write about it
There was little traffic on Saturday morning,
despite the N1 being closed overnight and opened again at 9 am. We arrived for
the opening at 12 noon and there was a very short and quick queue as many
people had pre-bought their tickets on line. The dress code was white, but some of
us rebelled as you can't often wear white a second time and we are trying not
to use water in the drought
Holden Manz owner Gerard Holden was on their stand
showing their new Chenin Blanc made by their French winemaker, Thierry Harberer
Rickety Bridge winemaker Wynand Grobler,
who was showcasing his refined 2017 Chenin Blanc
which is perfumed, clean and has good depth of flavour
On the next stand was
Topiary with their impressive flagship Chardonnay, a wine of quality. And also
close by and impressive was the Mont Rochelle leesy Sauvignon Blanc, rather
French in style, and unusually good for a Franschhoek Sauvignon, carefully crafted
Leopard’s Leap had an approachable sparkling NV Chardonnay
Pinot Noir, just right for the heat; it reminded us of a Spanish Cava
The Leopards Leap staff, coping well, the stand
was busy with this popular wine
La Motte winemaker Michael Langenhoven showed us the La Motte 2017 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc, made from Elim grapes, which has classic
grassy green capsicum nose and palate
A customer enjoying the Lynx Blanc de Noir with Lynx owner/cellarmaster Dieter Sellmeyer, as did
we. A lovely pale rosé wine, so good for hot summer days, we took two cases of
this home with us; it was at a very special price
A happy conversation and some rehydration time.
The profits on the bottled water go to support local schools. Of special
mention were two Semillons which do grow so well in the Franschhoek valley:
Haut Espoir 2016 is dry and elegant, well made, with a the classic touch of
mutton fat, a hint of salt, a quality food wine. The 2015 Semillon from
Boekenhoutskloof was simply delicious, elegant and just what we would expect a
good Semillon to be..
La Petite Ferme's Baboon Rock Chardonnay made from Robertson grapes. The baboons ate all their Franschhoek grapes. It has a rounded full palate finishing with
minerality and limes. A food wine with lovely long flavours
Anthonij Rupert group winemaker Dawie Botha pours a glass of L'Ormarins Brut Rosé
Kathy van Niekerk and Marguerite Nel of Boschendal looking cool in the heat
Colmant's classic Pinot Noir Rosé has just a soupçon of
Chardonnay and really lets the Pinot fruit shine. Full of strawberries, elegant
and dry. Perfection.
and cooling each other with ice cubes
Brett Garner and Irene Waller, who was showing her La Bri
Chardonnay. It has a beautiful nose and is full of everything you expect and
want in a good Chardonnay. It is wooded, but only light smoke and butterscotch
hint at it. Another good Chardonnay was that from Bellingham on the next stand.
French notes, 2nd fill wood just supporting and very collectable
Dawie Botha and Irene Waller
Temperature control with a slushy cooler
Dawie Botha and Maryna Calow of WOSA
Maryna and her daughters having fun
Under the marquee, people were so enjoying the day
Group selfie time. Hope it was in focus!
Feeling the music the DJ was playing
Just beautiful
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2018
