Weekly - 5 Stars for South Africa (Wine not Rugby)

It is amazing how much discussion before a big match (Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals) about what players need to start where or be substituted or play alongside another to have a winning influence on a game. Yet when it comes down to it, the Referee can truly be responsible for reversing the result of some thirty or more burly buggers you wouldn’t readily argue with. The way referee Nigel Owens penalized high tackles in the Argentina versus New Zealand match, one can only surmise that if he had instead held the Australia versus South Africa match, without any shadow of a doubt, Oz would be taking the short step home. Four years of hard work and a Ref can toss it away in seconds. Bit like training four years for the Olympic 100 metres and having one false start and you are out. Au revoir. Toodle pip. Return ticket required. Anyway, that brings me neatly onto South Africa. These last two days I have been wined and dined (and tasted many an impressive example) by some of the best names in South African winemaking: Chris Mullineux; Adi Badenhorst; Newton Johnson; Jordan; Alex Dale, amongst others. The results were very impressive indeed and we will be adding a couple of examples in the next few days.

Yesterday our long awaited Jean Daneel and Chris Mullineux shipment arrived in the U.K. Alas H.M. Customs have to satisfy and satiate their bureaucratic and financial needs first so this will take a few days before we see the wine translate into our Shop. Not that John Platter’s Wine Guide is the highest accolade but nonetheless I am delighted to say that we chose all three wines from Chris Mullineux (Syrah / Chenin Blanc / Straw Wine) and as of yesterday, Platter announced that all three of those same wines had been awarded a five star rating. A first and decent acknowledgement of certainly what I had already tasted in bottle. Some of you have pre-ordered Mullineux’s Straw Wine and or the Jean Daneel “Signature” Chenin Blanc, these will be reiterated in a larger offer next week.

I will re-taste some other wines (Newton Johnson 2010 Pinot Noir…Jordan “Cobblers Hill 2003…) and these could well feature in due course. For now:

Radford Dale “Renaissance” Chenin Blanc 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa

at £ 17.50 per Bottle

I rarely if ever start with price but this is a terrific value wine at £  17.50.

Certainly if you want a break from “Chardonnay & Sauvignon-Blanc” this would accomplish that beautifully.

On the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, these are 45 year old bush vines, unirrigated which is a rarity in Stellenbosch.

This is rich and unctuous in the mouth but is still so fresh as it clearly benefits from wonderful natural acidity.

Opulent but not heavy, flavoursome, citrusy. Just swirls in the mouth.

Though most of the U.K. spend nearer the £ 8-9 mark, why anyone would have two bottles at that level for one bottle of this is genuinely beyond me.

This will be in stock tomorrow.

From a mere 300 cases produced just 20 cases will be coming to the U.K., so this will not be available for too long!

Encore:

We still have about 10 spaces or places for our Lamotte Champagne Dinner at nearby Sally Clarke’s (next Tuesday, 18^th October). Just to reiterate, you don’t have to buy, the Champagne you drink on the evening is totally free, you’ll simply pay the £ 50-60 per head for an inclusive 3-4 course meal to Clarke’s. Certainly worth doing if you can.

Weekly indulgence:

11 Bottles available of - Delaforce “Corte” 1997 Vintage Port at £ 31.00 per Bottle

&

9 Bottles available of - Château Magdelaine 1995 St-Émilion 1er Grand Cru Classé B at £ 67.00 per Bottle

Silly Season:

Too busy this week for that I’m afraid. Maybe next.