This much anticipated and long overdue vertical tasting of Chris Keet's First Verse took place recently,
organised by negociant John Collins
We have known Chris for a very long time, from even before his Crescendo days at Cordoba
and have enormous respect for his talent, his wines and his clear view of what he wants to produce:
simply the best Bordeaux blend
We sold his wines in our shop, Main Ingredient, and bought some for our cellar
Many people regard Crescendo as an iconic example of South Africa's best reds
The tasting was held in a private house in Constantia Hills
where the charming owner, Kelly Clohessy, hosts small events
She provided very interesting food to pair with these classy wines
The list of wines for tasting. Some tasted old to young, we did young to old to see the progression
We knew we were going to taste great wines; we were not wrong
Some top restauranteurs, sommeliers, wine retailers and writers attended the tasting
In the picture, Harald Bresselschmidt, owner of Aubergine restaurant, Carla Lopes of Tintswalo,
Liam Tomlin, CEO of Chefs Warehouse group and Rui Blanco
Chris Keet with Carla Lopes, Senior Manager & Sommelier at Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo
Intense fruit, violets, cherries and light smoke on nose
Light at first on the palate, then it opens up with more intensity, dark berry fruit, soft tannins
A hint of what was to follow
Smoked trout blinis with dill crème fraiche
Richness, bright fruit on the nose
Velvety on the palate, dark berries, tannin, incense wood, a hint of licorice then more dark oak on the end Very good
Gruberg Cheese, crackers and Cherry preserve
Shy at first, then the quality shows; dark cassis berry fruit and some violets
It opens in the glass, with black cherry and those Cabernet Franc classy notes
On the palate, a lovely full fruit exhibition of all the varietals, soft ripe tannins, long flavours
Violets and roses show on the palate, melding with the cherries and cassis
Wood supporting. It's ready, to drink now and to put away...
Crisp and juicy buttermilk panko crumbed chicken on a bao bun, with pickled cucumber, kewpie mayo and BBQ sauce
Harald Bresselschmidt, Carla Lopes, Liam Tomlin
Takes a moment to open, then elegance, with good wood and violets
On the palate, bright fruit, red cherries, cassis, then chalky tannins and the long lasting flavours of cassis predominate
Smoked trout blini with dill crème fraiche
From now on it's "hope you have some" time as the wines begin to come to their peak
Dark red in colour, lovely perfumed notes with violets and rose on top of excellent fruit
On the palate, ripe berry fruit, outstanding flavours as all the varietals show and come together
Soft tannins, wood on the end with some liquorice umami
Tasting the best,
Chris has a signature and it shows in all these excellent wines
The character on the nose is now established as a First Verse characteristic and is recognisable
Perfume, incense wood, violets, cherry berry cassis fruit in abundance. Wow
It is so beautiful on the palate, so much delicious integrated fruit and soft tannins, umami,
while still showing youth and aging possibilities
Incense wood and great fruit on the nose
The wood follows through on the palate, followed by layers of fruit
Soft chalky tannins, complexity and some warmth and that umami on the end
Palma ham and burrata crostini
Umami first, then wood notes then dark berry fruit and perfume
Then it all repeats on the integrated palate with long deep flavours. It calls loudly for food
Beautiful and has time to go too, as do most of them
So pleased we have some in our cellar
Korean Beef Bulgogi and Jasmine rice was spicy, tender and delicious. Great to pair with the wines
Kelly Clohessy and chef Lisa Cowlin busy in the kitchen
Lynne did not score less than 94 on any of these vintages. The last four were up higher
All vintages to date have earned 5 Stars in the Platter guide
A privilege indeed to taste such fine wines and see their progression and aging results
Thank you Chris and John - and Kelly
A striking display of white orchids in the sitting room
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