This report is unusual in that it is a solo effort
Lynne had a commitment to a Horticultural Society meeting, so John took notes as well as photographs
He would have loved to taste everything, but time constraint limited the choices
It was good to see old friends, father and son team Peter and Nick Pentz from Groote Post in Darling
The 2023 Sauvignon blanc is a delicious, crisp classic with elderflower, gooseberry and granadilla in the long finish
which develops to ripe apple flavours
The 2021 single-vineyard Kapokberg Chardonnay is lovely; a rounded, soft mouthful
20% of the juice was fermented in clay amphorae, the balance in oak, of which 60% was new, the balance second-fill
The Brut Rosé Cap Classique has crisp fruit and a lively mousse
The Inheritance Merlot is new to the range, a gorgeous, rich and full ripe berry classic
Another friendly face. Bevan Newton Johnson with his family's range of superb wines
The Sauvignon blanc has lovely mouthfeel from 7% Semillon and classic green pepper entry
with a complex mix of fig leaf, pineapple, granadilla and apple flavours coming in
The Southend Chardonnay has lovely rich fruit and a subtly mineral acidity
The Albariño has mineral support for white peach character, another delicious mouthful
The Chardonnays are, simply, quite magnificent
More old friends, not seen for a Covid-afflicted long time. Fanus, Estelle and Martin Bruwer of Quando, near Bonnievale
Their Sauvignon blanc and Mourvèdre Rosé are old favourites
The Sauvignon has a capsicum entry, developing to gooseberry and granadilla
The rosé would be perfectly at home with a Salade Niçoise in Provence
I was impressed with the Pinotage, which is new to their range
More Burgundian, and none of the old-fashioned "dikvoet" character which needed years of cellaring to be really drinkable
This has delicious, soft plum fruit and is instantly accessible
The Raats Old Vine Chenin blanc. 50% of the juice was fermented in 3rd and 4th fill barrels,
the balance equally split between stainless steel and concrete egg
A silky mouthful of supple fruit with a long peach-tinged finish
Cabernet franc has become a signature wine for Bruwer Raats
I didn't have time to taste them, but it might suffice to say that both wines have earned five stars in Platter
The Jasper red blend is 44% Cabernet franc, the MR de Compostella is, simply, legendary
Canapés circulated throughout the tasting
This was rare roast beef with a dollop of onion jam. Chewy, but delicious
There was also a mini Caprese salad on rounds of baguette
More old friends, Sue and Niël Proudfoot of Wine Concepts in Kloof Street flanking Gavin Bruwer of B Vintners
The MCC, 60% Pinot and 40% Chardonnay is simply delicious
The Symphony, a blend of 50% Grenache with Shiraz and Mourvèdre is smooth with rich berry flavour
More friends from Bonnievale,
Arendsig owner/winemaker/viticulturist Lourens van der Westhuizen with Colyn Truter, who markets his wine
The Arendsig Colombard is racy and fresh with herb-accented green apple
This once-popular varietal is seeing a revival in the area with several notable examples tasted recently
The 2021 Chardonnay has lively acidity with lime fruit, in the same vein as the 2011 which we still have in our cellar
The 2022 has slightly brisker acidity, but very similar fruit character
Reenen Borman, who has taken over from his father Jacques at Boschkloof and as a Cape Winemakers Guild member
His Stellenbosch Sauvignon blanc, made from False Bay grapes, was reminiscent of the wines of Cape Point Vineyards
A fresh mouthful of gooseberry and granadilla, with just the right acidity
The Chardonnay, from 60% used barrels and 40% stainless steel, is fresh and rounded
The Chenin blanc shows ripe stone fruit and is delicious
Sadly, I didn't get a chance to taste the Shiraz, the estate's signature grape, which has been a favourite for about 30 years
Brookdale winemaker Kiara Scott with marketing manager Jacus Marais
We visited the farm recently and you can see it
here
Doolhof has completely redesigned their labels
The Malbec & Merlot is easy drinking with delicious ripe fruit
The Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc is very savoury with flavours of prunes and blackberries
At Remhoogte, it was good to see brothers Rob and Chris Boustred again
The Honeybunch has long been one of our favourite Chenins; rich, honeyed and golden-coloured with lovely smooth texture
The Aspect Merlot is superb; rich and full-flavoured with a velvety texture
and the flagship, Sir Thomas Cullinan is a wonderful blend of Merlot and Cabernet sauvignon
Rich, dark berry fruit with hints of licorice and spice and a very long finish
Francois Haasbroek who is making the wine at Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards showed his own Blackwater Wines
In addition to the old classic favourites, he had Grenache, Carignan and Cinsaut on show
The Carignan is a subtly fruited mouthful with a succulent mouthfeel. Delicious
A great opportunity to see numerous friendly faces and winemakers and to taste some superb wines
All the stories we have published can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right
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