Saturday 2nd June 2018 : "A Taste of South Africa" with Jill & Bryan in Worthing.

Another full house for Jill & Bryan's evening.

The Whites:

1. Graham Beck Brut NV; South Africa; Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend; 12% abv; Purchased from Majestic for £15

 Made from a blend of new and reserve wines from grapes sourced from Robertson and Stellenbosch, this is a traditional-method sparkling wine that has undergone secondary fermentation and maturation on its lees in bottle for 15-18 months. An inviting nose full of lightly yeasty aromas. The palate offers fresh, gentle lime fruit delivered with a fine mousse, giving the wine a creamy texture on the finish. Graham Beck recommend pairing this with warm butternut and gorgonzola bruschetta.

2. Bellingham 'The Bernard Series' Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2017; Western Cape, South Africa; 100% Chenin Blanc; 14% abv; Purchased from Majestic for £13

Winemaker Niël Groenewald's exceptional pocket of old, low-yielding Chenin bush vines produces a wine deserving its own unique identity. 'The Bernard Series' celebrates the legend of Bernard Podlashuk, the founder and the original winemaker, and is matured in French oak. Tropical fruit and citrus, limestone and oak aromas give way to a refreshing, powerful and rounded palate. Vanillin spices with honeysuckle, layers of fruit and a lingering finish. Enjoy over the next two years with pan fried fish, pork chops or scallops.

3. 'The Bernard Series' Hand-picked Viognier 2017; Western Cape, SA; 100% Viognier; 13.5% abv; Purchased from Majestic for £13

Celebrating the legendary maverick founder of Bellingham, Bernard Podlashuk, 'The Bernard Series' is a homage to his efforts in placing South Africa on the winemaking map. Hand picked grapes are fermented and aged in one year old French oak with 4% lees contact. Perfumed aromas of peaches, lychees, rose petal and spice are complemented by rich layers of fruit with spicy undertones of white pepper and cinnamon on the palate with a lingering and inviting finish. Will partner well with delicately flavoured, creamy seafood and poultry dishes. Enjoy over the next two years.

4. Lanzerac Chardonnay 2016; Stellenbosch, South Africa; 100% Chardonnay; 14% abv; Purchased from Hennings for £15

** VOTED 'BEST OF THE WHITES' ON THE EVENING **

A spicy fruit-bomb wine with lashings of ginger biscuit aromas overlaying soft cooked apples with caramel and cream, this is a wine which is jam-packed with flavour. A soft buttery mouthful of tropical fruits such as mangoes, pineapples and bananas, edged wit toasty oak is balanced by good acidity and finishes with a toffee-cream tail.

Between the Whites & the Reds Jill served a Tomato, Salami, Olive & Cheese skewer...

SWAS Cellar Wine:

5.    The Wine Society's Exhibition Hermitage Rouge 2005 from the Rhône Valley, France; originally purchased by the SWAS Fine Wine Committee in Feb 2016 for £36 and now deemed by the Wine Society to be in its prime and ready to be tasted...!

This wine was superb but it was unanimously felt that this bottle would really have benefited by being decantered beforehand.

The Reds:

6. Pieter Cruythoff Middelpos Pinotage 2013; W.O. Swartland, SA; 100% Pinotage; 14% abv; Purchased from Hennings for £18

Pieter Cruythoff Middelpos is a low yield Swartland Pinotage, typical of its Mediterranean climate. Carefully matured in selected oak, the resulting wine is of unique value, offering rich plum flavours, dark ruby colour and a velvety finish. Situated on the south-eastern slope of Kasteelberg lies a small (only 3.96 Ha) vineyard from which the Pieter Cruythoff Middelpos Bush Vine Pinotage hails. The bush vine Pinotage vineyard was planted back in 1997, using Richter 110 as rootstock, on the farm Middelpos in the Riebeek Valley. Pinotage is a unique South African cultivar and is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Although the soil type is weathered granite, which is great for water retention, the bush vines also receive complementary drip-irrigation to help the vines cope with the warm Swartland summers. GPS coordinates of the block are E 18˚51'54" and S33˚18'54".

The grapes were cold-soaked for 3 days at 10°C to extract as much color as possible before fermentation. After cold-soaking, the temperature is increased to around 18°C and yeast is added to start fermentation. Regular pump-overs are done to enhance skin contact which improves the flavor and color profiles. Fermentation temperature between 22 - 26°C. Fermented dry on skins, pressed. After malolactic fermentation, wine is transferred to barrels. French oak barrels, rest 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months.

7. Kanonkop Kadette Pinotage 2016; Stellenbosch, SA; 100% Pinotage; 14% abv; Purchased from Majestic for £14

From Kanonkop, which has been described as the South African equivalent of a first growth, this is packed with concentrated dark fruit flavours. Rich and fruity with soft tannins this is a decadent treat. A complex wine with hints of red fruit and mocha flavours. Elegant tannin structures with a good length and dry finish. Can mature for a further 6 – 8 years.

8.   Holden Manz Merlot 2013; Franschhoek, South Africa;  100% Merlot; 14.5% abv; Purchased from Hennings for £15

The Holden Manz Merlot displays a glowing ruby heart with bright, brick red edges in the glass. Sultry blackberry and plum aromas greet the nose and are held aloft by a delicate undercurrent of spiced oak. The palate is gracious and expressive, revealing sweet-scented notes of ripe red and black berries that are kept focused by an edge of natural acidity. The result is a well-balanced, smoothly-textured wine that performs with delicious weight and concentration on the mid-palate. A drawn-out finish leaves a lingering aftertaste of delicate berry sweetness.

9.  Rustenberg Stellenbosch 2015; Merlot/ Cab Sauv/ Malbec/ Petit Verdot/ Cab Franc blend; 14.5% abv; Purchased from Hennings for £15

Small batches of each variety are vinified separately, blended, then aged in oak for 7 mths for good integration. Blackcurrant aromas are complemented by notes of dried herbs and black pepper. The palate is fleshy and firmly structured, with weighty red fruit flavours and bold tannins. Correctly cellared, this wine will continue to improve, and keep for 8-10 years. Blackcurrant aromas are complemented by notes of dried herbs and black pepper. The palate is fleshy and firmly structured, with weighty red fruit flavours and bold tannins. Correctly cellared, this wine will continue to improve, and keep for 8-10 years.

10.  The Chocolate Block 2016 Boekenhoutskloof; W.O. Swartland, SA; 79% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cinsault, 1% Viognier; 14% abv; Purchased from Majestic for £24

** VOTED 'BEST OF THE REDS' ON THE EVENING **

An exciting blend of 5 grape varieties, from innovative winemaker Marc Kent. Dominated by around 79% Syrah, the grapes come from several specially selected blocks of vines on Boukenhoutskoloof's estate, fermented and aged for up to 18 months in old French oak. An earthy, rustic nose gives up aromas of leather and spices over a backdrop of blackcurrant and ripe raspberry fruit. Powerful on the palate, offering notes of violets with a cocoa and pepper complexity. Most at home with spice-rubbed steaks, roast rib of beef, or game dishes. An earthy, rustic nose gives up aromas of leather and spices over a backdrop of blackcurrant and ripe raspberry fruit. Powerful on the palate, offering notes of violets with a cocoa and pepper complexity. Most at home with spice-rubbed steaks, roast rib of beef, or game dishes.

For supper Jill served Marinated Wildebeest (actually, it was Chicken aka "Korean Kebabs"...!) grilled on skewers (recipe) with Charlotte Potatoes and Corn on the Cob followed by Fresh Fruit Salad with homemade Ginger Ice Cream (delicious...!) and a selection of cheeses and tea/coffee.

Supper Wines:

Two bottles of Kumala Eternal 2017; Western Cape, SA; Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend; 12.5% abv

The Raffle (three wines for the Raffle this time...!):

1. Boschendale Chenin Blanc 2017 - won by Alex

2. The Post Tree 2015; Riebeek Valley, Swartland, SA - won by Sue

3. Boschendal Shiraz 2016; Coastal Region, SA - won by Claire & Mike

Page last updated 04.06.2018 19:00