Their first-release Chard from this Summerland bench vineyard received no oak treatment or malolactic fermentation. Clean citrus and apple aromas. Tangy peach and melon flavours burst on the weighty, lees-driven mid-palate. The long chalky and briny finish fascinates. Made me crave sashimi.
From the ripe and lush aromas on the nose, I was expecting a flabby palate. To the contrary! Like an elegant ballerina, the wine components are perfectly balanced. Notes of nectarine, lemon, hazelnut and butter are just slightly overshadowed by the vanilla flavours but it is just a matter of a year or two until the aromas are in harmony. Impressive mouth-watering acidity despite the hot vintage. Magnificent. Put it in your cellar for 4-6 years.
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2016, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay ($55) Seamless, harmonious and seductive. Bright, rich and vibrant with fresh acidity, great length and complexity. Refined with a refreshing minerality and a long, lifted finish. A benchmark for the region.
A brilliant effort with this Rhône-style Syrah. The nose is redolent in wild berries, boysenberry, tobacco leaf, cracked black pepper, smoked meats, cinnamon and campfire smoke. It’s smooth and inviting on the palate with meaty dark fruits, pepper, currants, liquorice, road tar and juicy acidity. Attractive now, but can age for a few years.
This rare fino-style sherry is aged in American oak barrels for 12 years. It’s a light amber colour with a nose of toasted almonds and salty sea breeze with subtle exotic fruits. It’s as dry as can be achieved with a reductive note to go with crushed pistachio nuts, sea salt and underlying apricot and tropical fruits. It unfolds in layers and challenges the senses.
Sourced from Lillooet’s only estate winery. Apple and lychee aromas spring from the glass. Juicy acidity brightens the rich, off-dry palate, which features ripe pear, baked apple and a spicy orange-peel finish. Pairs well with Moroccan-spiced dishes.
Monastrell is what the Spaniards call Mourvèdre. Deep purple in colour with a spicy black-cherry-and-pipe-tobacco nose; full-bodied on the palate, richly extracted, perfumed blackberry flavour; mouth-filling with a firm tannic finish. Great value.