We had been invited a few months ago to an evening tasting at Paserene in Franschhoek, which we had to miss,
but promised that we would call when we were next in the area
A tasting was arranged and we arrived at 3 pm
The name Paserene comes from the Latin word Passeriformes,
the order of “travelling and free” birds containing swifts and swallows
The story behind the swallow is a true testament to Martin’s adventures abroad and the need to spread his wings,
all the while having a yearning to return home to create his nest – Paserene
It had been rather a long time since we were last there and were shown the additions to the tasting room
This is the new addition
The gardens around the pond look lush
invitation to play on the lawn. Croquet or Boule anyone?
There is a great terrace for relaxing while doing the tasting on a good day
One of their cheese and charcuterie boards awaiting guests
The tasting and menu lists. Paserene is owned by Martin Smith and Ndabe Mareda
Zolani ably organized the tasting for us and helped John to photograph all the bottles
Martin Smith, the winemaker, arrived back on the farm just as we arrived
and was kind enough to come and join us for the tasting of his wine
They are in the middle of harvest and he took valuable time to spend with us, for which we are very grateful
It made the tasting so special to hear his explanations of the wine and his intentions
He confessed that he is obsessed with Cabernet Sauvignon and when you taste these, you can see why
We began the tasting with the Elements range
The Elements Rosie was created for the tasting room, a blend of Carignan, Mourvèdre and Syrah
It’s a red wine on the nose with perfume and lovely candy floss light red berry fruit on the palate
From the Website: “The Elements Range symbolises the fun side of our wine estate in Franschhoek
Each bottle is unique, and can easily shine through in a luxury wine tasting, while also being the perfect mid-week tipple
These wines are made from different elements from each of our vineyards”
Elements Emerald 2019 is a Sauvignon Blanc grown on sand in Franschhoek
It is floral and tropical with notes of fig on the nose and palate
Elements Bright is a Chardonnay with some Elgin fruit
20% oak makes it leesy, oaky, with golden stone fruit, long deep flavours, then more wood
Elements Dark is a Syrah with 50% Franschhoek and 50% Tulbagh fruit
Spicy, good red berry fruit with dark, salty licorice wood, cola flavours and brown sugar. Lovely to quaff
Elements Midnight is Cabernet Sauvignon and you can see Martin's passion
Soft sweet cassis berry fruit, licorice wood and salty minerality with good oak notes on the end
A food wine, and one of our favourites in the tasting. A percentage of the grapes comes from Elgin and it shows
From the website: “The Shiner is a vintage-specific wine made from grapes grown on our own Franschhoek vineyard
Each vintage is different depending on the harvest, representing the next chapter in the story of The Shiner”
The Shiner white is made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Franschhoek and has 10% sherry added - novel!
Sugar cane, limes and apricots, layered with umami and the richness of the Semillon
The 2017 red Shiner is the third vintage, and has a lovely dive-in nose, from older Cabernet Sauvignon vines
Cassis and cherry fruit, layered with good wood and chalky tannins 40 in new oak
"Unusually", says Martin "it has a V.A. of 1"
From the website: “Our Paserene Range wines have been carefully crafted for those who prefer the finer things in life
Each bottle tells a story of the terroir that the grapes are sourced from,
with flavours that highlight the purity of the fruit’s structure and elegance
These wines are made for ageing, and will last for upwards of 20 years”
These wines score very well in competitions
The Paserene Protagonist; 40% new oak, from Elgin grapes. Lovely golden fruit repeats on the palate
Ripe peach, golden plum, marzipan and almond - delicious
The Paserene Union with Mother Nature and swallow on the label Is a refined Syrah
Perfume of violets and rose on the nose, with black berry fruit and cherries
Full, layered and satisfying on the palate with dark berry fruit, a hint of chilli and spice with wood well integrated
Pasarene Marathon (not normally available for tasting) is elegance in the glass
Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Verdot, there are notes of sage, cassis and violets
On the palate, lots of cassis, cherry, dry chalky tannins, good support from oak
This wine should be put down in your cellar for drinking a few years down the line and it will reward
Go and taste these wines for yourself to find your own gems
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