New Wave South Africa Tasting Thursday 24th September 2015 The Vinyl Factory, Soho
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New Wave South Africa Anyone who has spent an evening at Mama Cucina’s restaurant in Riebeek Kasteel will have experienced something of the tangible sense of camaraderie, talent, youth and openness that pervades much of the new South African wine scene today. An ever changing cast of winemakers from all over the Cape congregates here. In an attempt to bring some of that spirit, vitality and friendship to the UK market, a collection of importers have come together to create the New Wave South African Tasting. The group has invited the best of South Africa’s New Wave winemakers to share their wines at what promises to be the most exciting and vibrant event for South Africa ever held in the UK. New Wave Founder Importers: Dreyfus Ashby, Fields, Morris & Verdin, Indigo Wines, New Generation Wines, SWiG Wines
“South Africa - with its diverse terroirs, old vines and pure winemaking talent - is one of the most dynamic and exciting winemaking countries in the New World” TimAtkin.com South Africa Report 2015
‘We firmly believe that South Africa is one of the world’s most exciting wine-producing countries at the moment. South African wine has always been keenly priced and the Cape has long offered some of the best white wine value in the world and some well-made renditions of the classic wine styles of Europe. But today a new generation of younger wine producers are also offering a completely different range of styles and flavours, many of them uniquely South African. These bright young things are breathing new life and fresh air into the whole world of wine. Come and taste the tangible sense of camaraderie, talent, youth and openness that pervades much of the new South African wine scene today.’ JancisRobinson.com
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Producer Table Numbers Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7
Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 11 Table 12 Table 13 Table 14 Table 15 Table 16 Table 17 Table 18 Table 19 Table 20 Table 21 Table 22 Table 23 Table 24 Table 25 Table 26 Table 27 Table 28 Table 29 Table 30 Table 31 Table 32 Table 33 Table 34 Table 35 Table 36
Keermont Restless River Savage Cape Point Vineyards Blank Bottle AA Badenhorst Family Craven Wines Tierhoek ‘Z’ & ‘C’ by Craig Hawkins Vincent & Tania Carême Sadie Family Wines Cape of Good Hope by Antonij Rupert Porseleinberg Boekenhoutskloof Reyneke Leeuwenkuil Rall Storm Wines Mother Rock Wines & JH Meyer Momento Wines Lismore Estate Vineyards DeMorgenzon Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines Crystallum Julien Schaal Shannon Vineyards Waterkloof David & Nadia Sadie Yardstick Wines Alheit Vineyards The Foundry Botanica Solms Delta Thorne & Daughters Fable Mountain Vineyards Beaumont The Liberator Miles Mossop Wines Eagles’ Nest Sijnn Dewaldt Heyns / Saronsberg 3
Table 1 Keermont Alex Starey PROFILE Keermont Vineyards is a boutique wine estate set in a natural amphitheatre between the Helderberg and Stellenbosch Mountain ranges. We aim to grow and make wines to reflect the wonders of this beautiful place. We currently produce approximately 40,000 bottles per year of naturally made, terroir specific, hand crafted wines. All of our wines are grown, produced, and bottled on the estate. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: In 2003, I spent a crazy weekend in the Priorat with Chris ‘Mullet’ Mullineux. I was blown away by the landscape and terroir. We had loads of fun visiting Eben Sadie and some other wineries. As we were leaving, Clos Erasmus, one of our friends, was given a bottle of Daphne Glorian’s 1998 vintage. He was determined to drink it in the Priorat, but we had a flight home to catch, so we pulled the cork in the car on the way out and ‘necked’ it. I was the most beautiful wine I had ever tasted and I vowed there and then to return to the Priorat to work in the amazing environment. I worked the 2004 harvest at Clos Erasmus and it had a major impact on my approach to wine. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Pieter Walser’s Blank Bottle – Familiemoord
IMPORTER DETAILS: Damon Quinlan / Susan Harper SWiG 188 Sutton Court Road LONDON W4 3HR 020 8995 7060 damon@swig.co.uk / susanharper@swig.co.uk www.swig.co.uk 4
Keermont
Table 1
White
2013
Terrasse
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£21.00
Red
2012
Syrah
Stellenbosch
14.5%
£29.50
Red
2012
Keermont
Stellenbosch
14.5%
£29.50
Red
2012
Steepside Syrah
Stellenbosch
14%
£45.00
Sweet
2014
Fleurfontein – 375ml
Stellenbosch
13%
£21.30
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Table 2 Restless River Craig Wessels PROFILE Being labelled as a maverick by wine writers does not deter Craig from his uncompromising approach to natural winemaking and minimal intervention. His focus is on handcrafting siteexpressive, restrained and elegant wines made only from grapes that he and his wife, Anne, farm on marginal soils in the cooler Hemel-en-Aarde. Only 2,000 cases of each vintage are made, making it pretty rare stuff. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Not a single bottle, but a region: learning more about the philosophy of, then tasting the wines from smaller Burgundian producers resonated with my approach and style preferences, and the proverbial penny dropped. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? I’m looking forward to tasting them all.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Damon Quinlan / Susan Harper SWiG 188 Sutton Court Road LONDON W4 3HR 020 8995 7060 damon@swig.co.uk / susanharper@swig.co.uk www.swig.co.uk 6
Restless River
Table 2
White
2012
Chardonnay
Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley
13.5%
£39.00
White
2013
Chardonnay
Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley
12.9%
£39.00
Red
2011
Cabernet Sauvignon
Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley
13.7%
£39.00
Red
2012
Cabernet Sauvignon
Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley
13.7%
£39.00
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Table 3 Savage Cape Point Vineyards Duncan Savage PROFILE Savage Wines: started in 2011 as a small family wine business run by the Savages, with the goal to produce rock-solid, classic and elegant wines. Cape Point Vineyards: Based in the Cape Peninsula where Sauvignon Blanc reigns, we’re known for producing artisanal wines which truly speak of the maritime area. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The wine that truly got me passionate about wine in the 90’s – Kanonkop Paul Sauer. It’s an epic wine. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Reyneke Reserve Red.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Damon Quinlan / Susan Harper SWiG 188 Sutton Court Road LONDON W4 3HR 020 8995 7060 damon@swig.co.uk / susanharper@swig.co.uk www.swig.co.uk 8
Savage / Cape Point Vineyards
Table 3
White
2014
Savage White
Western Cape
14%
£27.50
Red
2013
Savage Red
Western Cape
13%
£29.50
Red
2014
Follow the Line
Western Cape
13%
£27.50
Cape Point Vineyards White
2014
Sauvignon Blanc
Cape Peninsula
13.5%
£13.95
White
2014
Sauvignon Blanc Reserve
Cape Peninsula
13.5%
£18.50
White
2014
Isliedh
Cape Peninsula
14%
£29.50
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Table 4 Blank Bottle Pieter Walser PROFILE There are no varietals on the label, judge the wine purely on the taste – each wine has a batch name that refers to the true story behind the wine. Access the QR code on the back label as well as on my website, www.blankbottle.co.za. Though I am my own winery, I own no land and rent vineyards and buy grapes. I make just over 40,000 bottles from 47 vineyards across many producing areas of SA. I make 27 varietals in one cellar. I don’t make the same wines every year, and in fact about 50% of 2015 are new, and production per wine varies from 300 bottles to 4,000 bottles per wine. This year, I’ll have about 26 different wines released. I design all my own labels, and my future plans are not to plan at all. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Most probably the first one I ever bought with my own money. A bottle of Tassenberg for R3.50 a bottle. I bought it in Stellenbosch Western Province Liquor store in 1994. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? I don’t know!
IMPORTER DETAILS: Damon Quinlan / Susan Harper SWiG 188 Sutton Court Road LONDON W4 3HR 020 8995 7060 damon@swig.co.uk / susanharper@swig.co.uk www.swig.co.uk 10
Blank Bottle
Table 4
White
2014
DOK
Elgin
13.5%
£17.50
White
2014
Im Hinterhofkabuff
Elgin
13.5%
£19.50
White
2014
AASVOEL
Stellenbosch
15%
£21.00
White
2014
Nothing to Declare
Western Cape
14%
£18.50
White
2014
Moment of Silence
Wellington
12.5%
£17.50
White
2014
Professor Kukurowitz
Wellington
12%
£18.50
White
2014
Kortpad-kaaptoe
Swartland
14.5%
£21.00
Red
2014
Familiemoord
Western Cape
14%
£25.00
Red
2014
The Misfit
Swartland
13%
£17.50
Red
2013
2nd Eulogy
Bot River
16%
£22.50
Red
2014
Sigh of Relief
Stellenbosch
15%
£25.00
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Table 5 AA Badenhorst Family Adi Badenhorst PROFILE AA Badenhorst Wines was started in 2007 by the attractive and dynamic cousins Hein and Adi Badenhorst. High tech winemaking is what we are all about. The ultra-modern winery and state of the art winemaking machines help express the terroir in the wines, far better than our old bush vines can… We pick ultra-ripe grapes [freshness is a rumour], only work with gravity [because it is your friend] and use very little sulphur because it can singe hipsters’ beards, and hipsters drink a lot of wine. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Some old Musar wine. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? None here – 1946 Joostenberg Potstill Brandy.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Damon Quinlan / Susan Harper SWiG 188 Sutton Court Road LONDON W4 3HR 020 8995 7060 damon@swig.co.uk / susanharper@swig.co.uk www.swig.co.uk 12
AA Badenhorst
Table 5
Rosé
2015
Secateurs Rosé
Swartland
12.5%
£11.95
White
2015
Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13%
£11.95
White
2014
Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13.5%
£11.95
White
2013
Family White Blend
Swartland
13.5%
£24.50
White
2012
Family White Blend
Swartland
13.5%
£24.50
Red
2013
Secateurs Red
Swartland
13.5%
£11.95
Red
2012
Secateurs Red
Swartland
13%
£11.95
Red
2013
Family Red Blend
Swartland
13.5%
£24.50
Red
2012
Family Red Blend
Swartland
14%
£24.50
Red
2014
Ramnasgras Cinsault
Swartland
12%
£24.50
Red
2014
Brak-Kuil Barbarossa
Swartland
14%
£24.50
Fortified
NV
Caperitif Vermouth Lot #3
Swartland
17.5%
£22.50
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Table 6 Craven Wines Jeanine & Mick Craven PROFILE We are an Australian-South African husband and wife team and our aim is to produce honest, unique, site-driven wines from Stellenbosch. After seven years of ‘hemisphere hopping’, chasing harvests, eating, drinking, working and partying as much as possible, we decided it was time to settle down. We decided the excitement and amazing energy that was brewing in the South African wine industry was too good to pass up and Stellenbosch was our place to do it. We love the area and think the diversity of the region creates a better opportunity to make interesting wines from all over. Our philosophy in the cellar is to rather make better decisions in the vineyard to allow us to make the winemaking easy. We seldom add anything except sulphur and bottle without fining or filtration. Let the grapes do the talking! THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: 2006 E. Guigal Lieu-dit Saint Joseph. Not a ‘profound’ or iconic wine, but it was a wine we both had together when we really found out that we both enjoy very similar wine. While working in France and travelling around in 2009, the 25€ [or whatever it was] was a lot of cash at the time for us. Smashing this on the banks on the Rhône, we both realised a similar passion for Syrah. For us, good bottles in great company are much more life changing than great bottles in horrible company… WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Thorne & Daughters ‘Tin Soldier’ – firstly, because ‘real men skin-ferment’ and secondly, anything to spend time looking into those dreamy eyes. IMPORTER DETAILS: Karen Jenkins Fields, Morris & Verdin 24-34 Ingate Place Battersea LONDON SW8 3NS 020 7819 0360 orders@fmvwines.com www.fmvwines.com 14
Craven Wines
Table 6
White
2014
Clairette Blanche
Stellenbosch
11%
£18.49
White
2014
Clairette Blanche 100% Skin Contact
Stellenbosch
11%
£18.49
Orange
2014
Pinot Gris
Stellenbosch
11%
£18.99
Red
2014
Pinot Noir
Stellenbosch
11%
£18.99
Red
2014
Faure Vineyard Syrah
Stellenbosch
11.5%
£20.89
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Table 7 Tierhoek ‘Z’ & ‘C’ by Craig Hawkins Vincent & Tania Carême Sadie Family Wines PROFILE At Fields, Morris & Verdin, we are privileged to represent some of the best known, as well as upcoming producers, who epitomise the New Wave movement in SA. Eben Sadie of Sadie Family Wines: at the forefront of innovative winemaking for many years and a leader in preservation of traditional plantings and varietals with his Old Vine Series. Shelley Sandal at Tierhoek: continues to evolve the distinctive wines at her farm in high-altitude Piekenierskloof, originally established with her husband Tony. Vincent Carême: a Vouvray vigneron, making Chenin in the Swartland, inspired by his wife Tania’s South African roots. Craig Hawkins (of Testalonga and originally Lammershoek): makes the Swartland ‘C’ Chenin and ‘Z’ Zinfandel especially for FMV.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Karen Jenkins Fields, Morris & Verdin 24-34 Ingate Place Battersea LONDON SW8 3NS 020 7819 0360 orders@fmvwines.com www.fmvwines.com 16
Tierhoek, Z&C, V&T Carême, Eben Sadie Table 7 White
2014
Tierhoek ‘Sandveld’ Sauvignon Blanc
Piekenierskloof
14%
£10.99
White
2012
Tierhoek Chenin Blanc
Piekenierskloof
14%
£14.95
Sweet
NV
Tierhoek Straw Wine – 375ml
Piekenierskloof
10.5%
£20.99
Red
2012
Tierhoek Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre
Piekenierskloof
14.5%
£9.99
White
2014
Craig Hawkins ‘C’ Chenin
Swartland
12.5%
£10.49
Red
2014
Craig Hawkins ‘Z’ Zinfandel
Swartland
12.5%
£10.49
White
2013
V Carême ‘Terres Brûlées Chenin
Swartland
13%
£13.99
White
2013
Sadie Family ‘Palladius’
Swartland
14%
£57.40
Red
2013
Sadie Family ‘Columella’
Swartland
14%
£43.85
White
2012
Sadie Family ‘T’Voetpad’
Swartland
13.5%
n/a
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Table 8 Cape of Good Hope Gareth Robertson PROFILE Anthonij Rupert Cape of Good Hope project was initiated by Johann Rupert in 2006 to retain unique, old block plantings and support their continued production, as well as encourage the expression of terroir from these limited parcels, first vintage releases in 2011. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 – a wine that made me realise that South African wines can age and be comparable to some of the best wines in the world. Despite negative press on older SA wines, South African is bursting with opportunity, which just needs to be unlocked. The winemakers at the New Wave tasting are doing just this.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Karen Jenkins Fields, Morris & Verdin 24-34 Ingate Place Battersea LONDON SW8 3NS 020 7819 0360 orders@fmvwines.com www.fmvwines.com 18
Cape of Good Hope
Table 8
White
2015
Altima Sauvignon Blanc
Elandskloof
13.5%
£17.99
White
2014
Van Lill & Visser Chenin Blanc
Citrusdal Mountain
13%
£17.79
White
2013
Serruria Chardonnay
Elandskloof
13%
£23.99
White
2013
Riebeeksrivier White Blend
Swartland
13%
£17.99
Red
2013
Riebeeksrivier Red Blend
Swartland
14.5%
£17.99
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Table 9 Porseleinberg Callie Louw PROFILE The Porseleinberg property was bought by Boekenhoutskloof in 2009 with the aim to produce top quality Syrah grapes for their current lines. We converted an old shed into a small cellar to produce one wine on the property with the rest of the grapes going to Boekenhoutskloof. The property is certified organic and the wine is made in a very old-school way – whole-bunch ferment, natural yeasts and minimal sulphur additions. The wine matures in concrete eggs and large foudres [2,500ℓ barrels] for 16 to 24 months. Our labels are printed on a 1940 Heidelberg platen letterpress. We believe strongly that the vineyards benefit from a mixed farming model; we have a couple of hundred hens foraging in the vines as well as Nguni cattle and various vegetable crops. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: 1980 Château Palmer. Drank in 2002, my first experience of quality vintage wine that spoiled my perception of quality. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? AA Badenhorst Cinsault.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Hamish Young New Generation Wines Aspen House 13 Highpoint Business Village ASHFORD Kent TN24 8DH 01233 656 787 hamish@newgenerationwines.com www.newgenerationwines.com 20
Porseleinberg Red
2013
Porseleinberg
Swartland
13.5%
Table 9 ÂŁ60.00
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Table 10 Boekenhoutskloof Marc Kent PROFILE I joined Boekenhoutskloof in 1994 and have been having fun ever since. We are a Syrah focussed operation, based in Franschhoek, but with facilities in Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and the Swartland, as well as extensive vineyard holdings in the Swartland. All our own vineyards are organically farmed; we hope to leave them in a better condition than we found them. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Hermitage ‘La Chapelle’ 1978! Syrah has always been my thing; and after many adventures to the Rhône, this was one vintage of this iconic wine I really wanted to try. When I finally secured a bottle, it was everything I ever dreamed of; elegant yet rich, heaps of pepper, wonderful! WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Restless River Cabernet Sauvignon.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Hamish Young New Generation Wines Aspen House 13 Highpoint Business Village ASHFORD Kent TN24 8DH 01233 656 787 hamish@newgenerationwines.com www.newgenerationwines.com 22
Boekenhoutskloof
Table 10
White
2004
Semillon
Franschhoek
13%
£26.50
White
2013
Semillon
Franschhoek
13%
£26.50
Red
2014
The Chocolate Block
Western Cape
14.5%
£21.00
Red
2013
Cabernet Sauvignon
Franschhoek
13.5%
£42.00
Red
2013
Syrah
Coastal
13.5%
£42.00
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Table 11 Reyneke Rudiger Gretschel & Jessica Garlick PROFILE There’s a lot to be said for the way wine used to be made. Back when the Reyneke farm first began as Uitzicht in 1863, there were no chemicals or technological advancements. Just the land and nature. Uitzicht is perched overlooking Stellenbosch and False Bay. It has north, east and south facing slopes. The best land is planted with vines and the remainder complements the vineyards with pasture, compost-making and pockets of wilderness. It’s the kind of balance that’s far more important than ensuring the spreadsheets all balance out. And it’s true, time-honoured tradition of winemaking. Biodynamic agriculture comes from a time when there was a spiritual understanding of life in general and farming in particular. We try to never lose sight of this, putting people first, naming our cows instead of numbering them, and even studying the weeds to learn why they are there. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Johann Reyneke writes: A couple of years ago while visiting a friend in Amsterdam, I had the privilege of tasting Didier Dagueneau ‘Silex’. I found the wine intriguing and beguiling – this wine got me to think out of the box with regards to Sauvignon Blanc and changed the way we approached both the grape and the wine here at Reyneke. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Johann Reyneke: Beaumont Chenin Blanc. IMPORTER DETAILS: Hamish Young New Generation Wines Aspen House 13 Highpoint Business Village ASHFORD Kent TN24 8DH 01233 656 787 hamish@newgenerationwines.com www.newgenerationwines.com 24
Reyneke Table 11 White
2015
Organic White
Western Cape
14%
£12.00
White
2014
Sauvignon Blanc
Stellenbosch
13%
£15.00
White
2014
Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch
13%
£17.00
White
2014
Reserve White
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£23.00
Red
2014
Organic Red
Coastal
14%
£12.00
Red
2013
Syrah
Stellenbosch
14%
£16.00
Red
2013
Cornerstone
Stellenbosch
14%
£18.50
Red
2013
Reserve Red
Stellenbosch
14%
£37.50
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Table 12 Leeuwenkuil Pieter Karstens PROFILE Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards marks the gate to the Swartland. Opening our cellar doors in 2008, the farm has been in the Dreyer family for seven generations. Willie ‘Buurman’ inherited the farm from his father. With the help of his wife, Emma, and the team they built the farm up to what it is today. We are governed by two forces: family bonds and quality wines. We strive to create wine big on taste and high in complexity, whilst being enjoyable and drinkable. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: KWV Cinsaut 1973 [labelled as ‘Hermitage’ back in the days]. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Savage ‘Follow the Line’ 2014.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Hamish Young New Generation Wines Aspen House 13 Highpoint Business Village ASHFORD Kent TN24 8DH 01233 656 787 hamish@newgenerationwines.com www.newgenerationwines.com 26
Leeuwenkuil
Table 12
White
2015
Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13%
£10.00
White
2014
Marsanne
Voor Paardeberg
13%
£14.50
White
2013
Heritage Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13%
£25.00
Red
2013
Shiraz
Swartland
13.5%
£10.00
Red
2014
Cinsault
Swartland
13%
£14.50
Red
2013
Heritage Syrah
Swartland
14%
£38.00
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Table 13 Rall Donovan Rall PROFILE Rall Wines was established in 2008 and is owned and run by independent winemaker Donovan Rall. After graduating with a Viticulture and Oenology degree from Stellenbosch University in 2005 and extensive travels and harvests all over, Donovan returned to SA in 2007 for a season in the Swartland. Here he found his inspiration and love for the Mediterranean varietals, and the dream of making unique and natural-styled wines under his own label was born. The focus has always been on one white and one red blend produced by hand in tiny quantities from the most unique and oldest possible sites he could find. The winemaking is simple: each parcel is allowed to ferment and mature naturally to truly reflect the character of each vineyard, before being blended. The first 10 barrels of Rall wines were made in 2008 and a few years down the line nothing has changed. Production is still tiny and the focus remains on the two wines, learning and understanding more about each vineyard and its contribution every vintage. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: My first bottle of CoulĂŠe de Serrant. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Some Savage Red would be nice.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Ben Henshaw Indigo Wine Bon Marche Centre 251 Ferndale Road LONDON SW9 8BJ 020 7733 8391 group@indigowine.com www.indigowine.com 28
Rall
Table 13
White
2014
Rall White
Coastal
14%
£23.50
Red
2013
Rall Red
Swartland
14%
£24.30
29
Table 14 Storm Wines Hannes Storm PROFILE After 12 vintages in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, focused on producing world class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, Hannes has discovered two local vineyards with particularly exceptional terroirs growing the tiny bunched red grape variety that he loves. Within these two sites – one with a lowvigour, stony, clay-rich shale soil in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the other a small vineyard with granite soils in the upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – Storm Wines strives to steer the purest characteristics of each site towards bottle and cork. Meticulous viticulture, minimal intervention in the cellar and a constant nod to the Old World produce wines with a warm personality and character. With the maiden vintage for both vineyards in 2012, Storm Wines continues to craft, perfect and guide the grapes from their unique terroirs into very distinctive site-specific wines.
THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: In 2001, I had a bottle of Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru 1990 which immediately sparked an idea and dream to produce a great Burgundy of this type of quality and distinction – and that on my own when the time is ripe. I reckon that event was the first pioneering step towards my dream to craft Burgundy with personality, purity and character. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Alheit Vineyards ‘Radio Lazarus’.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Ben Henshaw Indigo Wine Bon Marche Centre 251 Ferndale Road LONDON SW9 8BJ 020 7733 8391 group@indigowine.com www.indigowine.com 30
Storm Wines Table 14 Red
2013
Vrede Pinot Noir
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
13.5%
£34.10
Red
2013
Moya’s Pinot Noir
Upper Hemel-enAarde Valley
13.5%
£34.10
31
Table 15 Mother Rock Wines & JH Meyer Johan Meyer PROFILE While working in New Zealand and Santa Barbara a few years ago, Johan Meyer fell in love with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He found some cool spots in Elgin and Walker Bay and set about making his line of small-batch, hand-crafted cuvees under the JH Meyer Signature label. The wines caught the attention of Indigo’s Ben Henshaw while on his yearly pilgrimage to the Swartland Revolution, and now the two have become good mates as well as collaborators on a new project. Together they purchase Chenin, Semillon, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Cinsault, Syrah, Pinotage, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre from respected growers in the Swartland for the Force Majeure and Mother Rock labels. These are terroir-focused wines with plenty of freshness and complexity, but perhaps Johan himself says best: “I believe the word terroir should be used in honest terms. Letting the area and grape speak for itself in the bottle is my goal – natural fermented grape juice, that’s all!” THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Domaine de la Romanée Conti ‘La Tache’ 1967… California 2010, made an audience silent! WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Craven Syrah!!
IMPORTER DETAILS: Ben Henshaw Indigo Wine Bon Marche Centre 251 Ferndale Road LONDON SW9 8BJ 020 7733 8391 group@indigowine.com www.indigowine.com 32
Mother Rock & JH Meyer
Table 15
White
2015
Force Majeure Chenin Blanc
Swartland
12.5%
£11.95
White
2015
Swartland White
Swartland
13%
£15.95
White
2014
Chardonnay
Elgin
13.5%
£17.95
Rosé
2015
Force Majeure Cinsault Rosé
Swartland
12.5%
£11.95
Red
2015
Force Majeure Red Blend
Swartland
13%
£11.95
Red
2013
Pinot Noir
Elgin
13%
£20.95
Red
2014
Palmiet Pinot Noir
Elgin
13%
£23.50
Red
2014
Cradock Peak Pinot Noir
Outeniqua
13%
£27.95
Red
2014
Elands River
Elandskloof
13%
£27.95
Red
2015
Grenache
Swartland
12.5%
TBC
Red
2015
Mourvèdre
Swartland
13.5%
TBC
33
Table 16 Momento Wines Marelise Niemann PROFILE Inspired by travelling the world of wine and grapes, especially the ancient vineyards of the Old World; Momento Wines was born – “Wines that reflect all the elements involved: the sun, soil, water and earth – along with people, personalities, ideas and experiences.” Momento Wines are made and based in Bot River, a truly authentic and diverse region of South Africa, which I have called my home since 2007. Momento Grenache 2011, was the first wine to be bottled; and from there Momento has grown into a truly exciting venture and project; scouting for grapes and vinifying unique and honest wines of South Africa. I work with vines from all corners of the Western Cape, searching for grape parcels that truly express the region and soil it stands in; mostly from older and sometimes dryland bush vines. My winemaking approach is gentle and ‘hands-off’, respecting the grape and its place, and allowing the wine to express its own character and origin. In addition to the Grenache, I have added a Tinta Barocca and Chenin/Verdelho to the Momento range. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The wines of Buçaco. Wine of the Dão and Bairrada regions of Portugal. After working in Douro for a harvest, I travelled and tasted the ‘Bussaco’ wines. These wines, shrouded in myth and mystery, is truly everything I believe a wine should be. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Alheit, Crystallum, Thorne & Daughters. IMPORTER DETAILS: Rosie Clarkson Armit Wines 5 Royalty Studios 105 Lancaster Road LONDON W11 1QF 020 7908 0640 07966 641 834 rclarkson@armitwines.co.uk www.armitwines.co.uk 34
Momento Wines
Table 16
White
2014
Chenin Blanc/Verdelho
Western Cape
12.5%
£19.00
Red
2014
Grenache
Swartland
14%
£24.00
Red
2013
Tinta Barocca
Bot River
13.5%
£16.95
35
Table 17 Lismore Estate Vineyards Samantha O’Keefe PROFILE Lismore was born in a cool climate region that had previously never produced wine, pioneering an appellation or South African ‘Wine of Origin’ called Greyton. Samantha O’Keefe is the passionate farmer and winemaker who is producing distinctive wines which tell the story of a remote, extreme yet beautiful place. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The first one. It began a love affair and a journey that has taken me from California to Africa and around the world again and again. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? The Foundry Roussanne made by Chris Williams.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Matthew Harrowven/Steve Daniel Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines Dallow Road LUTON LU1 1UR 01582 406 479 matthew.harrowven@hdnwines.co.uk www.hdnwines.co.uk 36
Lismore
Table 17
White
2014
Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc
Greyton
13.5%
£14.27
White
2011
Chardonnay
Greyton
14%
£17.60
White
2013
Chardonnay
Greyton
13.5%
£17.60
White
2014
Viognier
Greyton
14%
£18.79
37
Table 18 DeMorgenzon Carl van der Merwe PROFILE DeMorgenzon, ‘the morning sun’, was so named because it is the first part of the Stellenboschkloof Valley to see the sun because of its high altitude and aspects. In 2003, Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum bought DeMorgenzon and have since transformed the estate. Winemaker and General Manager, Carl van der Merwe, joined the farm in 2010 and has since put the farm on the map by winning several prestigious local and international awards. The most notable of these accolades is the unprecedented two consecutive Platter ‘White Wine of the Year’ awards for 2014 and 2015. This year has also seen DeMorgenzon win two International Trophies, for the Maestro White 2014 [Decanter International White Blend Trophy] and the DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014 [International Wine Challenge International Chenin Blanc Trophy]. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The 2002 vintage ‘Clos du Bourg’ vineyard Sec from Domaine Huet in Vouvray maintains incredible freshness and a crystalline purity. The wine is a timeless expression of origin. The style is a litmus test for me when thinking about balance and freshness in white wine. Locally 1982 Rustenberg Cabernet Sauvignon is a stand out in that it shows great freshness and a firm core of ripe fruit, despite its age. It’s further confirmation for me that South Africa and Stellenbosch in particular, can produce great wines, which show elegance and freshness with good aging potential. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? The mysterious Cape Crusader, aka Rick, always has some mind-blowing kit. IMPORTER DETAILS: Pippa Woods Seckford Agencies Old Barn Farm Harts Lane, Ardleigh COLCHESTER CO7 7QQ 01206 231 188 pippa@seckfordagencies.co.uk www.seckfordagencies.co.uk 38
DeMorgenzon
Table 18
White
2014
DMZ Sauvignon Blanc
Western Cape
13.5%
£10.50
White
2014
DMZ Chenin Blanc
Western Cape
14%
£10.50
White
2014
DMZ Chardonnay
Western Cape
14%
£10.50
White
2014
Maestro White
Stellenbosch
14%
£15.75
White
2014
Reserve Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch
14%
£17.75
White
2014
Reserve Chardonnay
Stellenbosch
14%
£23.25
Sparkling
NV
Chenin Blanc Method Cap Classique
Stellenbosch
12.5%
£18.95
Red
2012
DMZ Syrah
Stellenbosch
14.5%
£10.50
Red
2011
Maestro Red
Stellenbosch
14.5%
£15.75
Red
2012
Reserve Syrah
Stellenbosch
14%
£23.25
39
Table 19 Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines Chris Mullineux PROFILE We’re a small, focused winery from the Swartland trying to bottle balanced, complex wines that reflect the vineyards they come from. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: GS 1966. I’ve been fortunate to have tried this wine a few times and it never fails to instil the most incredible confidence in the greatness South African wine can achieve. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? There are many, but I’d go for Porseleinberg. It’s the schist.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Catriona Felstead MW Berry Bros & Rudd Hamilton Close Houndmills BASINGSTOKE RG21 6YB 020 7022 8973 catriona.felstead@bbr.com www.bbr.com 40
Adam Russell Avalon Wine Ltd 4 Lyndhurst Square LONDON SE15 5AR 020 7703 1026 adam@avalonwine.co.uk
John Gauntley Gauntleys of Nottingham 4 High Street Exchange Arcade NOTTINGHAM NG1 2ET 0115 911 0555 rhone@gauntleywine.com www.gauntleys.com
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
Table 19
White
2014
Kloof Street Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13.5%
£12.95
Red
2014
Kloof Street Rouge
Swartland
13.5%
£12.95
White
2014
White
Swartland
13.5%
£18.50
Red
2013
Syrah
Swartland
13%
£24.00
White
2014
Granite Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13%
£45.00
Red
2013
Iron Syrah
Swartland
14%
£65.00
Red
2013
Schist Syrah
Swartland
13.5%
£65.00
Sweet
NV
Olerasay Straw Wine – 375ml
Swartland
11%
£32.50
41
Table 20 Crystallum Peter-Allan Finlayson PROFILE Producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from sites in the Hemel-en-Aarde and Overberg regions. Wines are made with respect and minimal intervention. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Ch창teau Rayas 1998. Had visited the vineyards and tasted out of barrel the day before. Totally unique, haunting and perplexing experience. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Magnetic North, Mountain Makstock 2013 from Alheit Vineyards. Ungrafted Skurfberg Chenin. Sublime.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Jennifer Docherty Liberty Wines 6 Timber Mill Way LONDON SW4 6LY 020 7720 5350 sales.admin@libertywines.co.uk www.libertywines.co.uk 42
Crystallum
Table 20
White
2014
The Agnes Chardonnay
Western Cape
13.5%
£22.99
White
2014
Clay Shales Chardonnay
Overberg
13%
£27.99
Red
2014
Peter Max Pinot Noir
Western Cape
14%
£24.99
Red
2014
Cuvee Cinema Pinot Noir
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
13.5%
£35.99
43
Table 21 Julien Schaal Julien Schaal PROFILE Alsace winemaker, I fell in love with South Africa during the 2003 harvest. Returning the next year, I befriended Gordon, the owner of Newton Johnson Vineyards. After a late night, I embarked him to my own venture. Take out all the little money I had at the bank, I invested everything in grapes, barrels, etc… In 2013, Sophie joined me in the venture. Graduated as a winemaker from Burgundy University, her commitment in the entire production has no limit. Together we are sharing time between our cellar in Alsace and South Africa. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The bottle of wine that changed my life is probably the one I haven’t had yet. More seriously, it was La Tache 2009, tasted in barrel at DRC. More than the wine, it was the legend and the great moment shared. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Crystallum Peter-Max Pinot Noir.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Elliot Awin Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies Acorn House Parkgate Road NEWDIGATE Surrey RH5 5AH 01306 631 155 ejma@abswineagencies.co.uk www.abswineagencies.co.uk 44
Julien Schaal
Table 21
White
2012
Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay
Elgin
13.5%
£13.99
White
2014
Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay
Elgin
13.5%
£13.99
White
2014
Evidence Chardonnay
Elgin
13.5%
£18.99
45
Table 22 Shannon Vineyards Stuart Downes PROFILE Shannon Vineyards is situated in the Elgin Valley within the Kogelberg Biosphere with mountains on our western boundary and the Peninsula Dam forming the eastern boundary. The Elgin Valley which has long been regarded as the apple and pear centre of South Africa, now has some of the country’s most highly regarded winemakers establishing vineyards in the area; testament to its obvious winemaking potential. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: 2007 Mount Bullet in barrel. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Reyneke Reserve White followed by Shannon Semillon.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Elliot Awin Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies Acorn House Parkgate Road NEWDIGATE Surrey RH5 5AH 01306 631 155 ejma@abswineagencies.co.uk www.abswineagencies.co.uk 46
Shannon Vineyards
Table 22
White
2014
Semillon
Elgin
13.5%
£18.00
White
2015
Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc
Elgin
13.5%
£14.00
Red
2013
Rockview Ridge Pinot Noir
Elgin
13.5%
£23.00
Red
2013
Mount Bullet
Elgin
14%
£32.00
47
Table 23 Waterkloof Louis Boutinot PROFILE Waterkloof is an independent, family-owned, biodynamic farm. The vineyard is perched on the ocean-facing, windswept slopes of the Schapenberg, just 2.5 miles from the Atlantic on the coastal outskirts of Stellenbosch. Following 24 years as a UK based wine importer and 20 of those simultaneously making his own wines in France [with other people’s grapes], Anglo-Frenchman Paul Boutinot finally found the vineyard he wished to call his own in 2004. To the surprise of many, however, instead of plumping for the familiar and well-trodden path of the Loire or Rhône Valleys, he gambled and backed the vast potential of South Africa and, more specifically, Waterkloof. The vineyard is certified biodynamic [one of only two in South Africa] and the only winemaking addition is sulphur dioxide in low doses. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: I won’t name the wine, but will tell the story. I gained valuable experience working for a winery in Spain, where modification of unbalanced grapes/wine in the cellar was the norm. Designer yeast, acidification, enzymes, powder tannins, highly toasted new oak, etc. The wine had immediate appeal and received high scores in the press. Upon leaving Spain, I took a bottle home and drank it five years later. It was shot to pieces. The wine taught me what not to do. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Reyneke Chenin Blanc. IMPORTER DETAILS: Maree Carroll Boutinot Brook House Northenden Road GATLEY Cheshire SK10 4DN 0161 908 1361 mareec@boutinot.com www.boutinot.com 48
Waterkloof
Louis Boutinot
White
2015
Circumstance Sauvignon Blanc
Stellenbosch
13%
£11.95
White
2012
Circle of Life White
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£14.95
White
2013
Circumstance Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£17.95
Rosé
2015
Cape Coral Mourvèdre
Stellenbosch
12.5%
£11.95
Red
2014
Seriously Cool Cinsault
Stellenbosch
12%
£13.95
Red
2013
Circumstance Cabernet Franc
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£19.95
Red
2012
Circumstance Syrah
Stellenbosch
14%
£19.95
49
Table 24 David & Nadia Sadie David Sadie PROFILE We work with various vineyards, soil types and like-minded farmers throughout the Swartland that share our vision. The Paardebosch farm in the Paardeberg, Siebritskloof, is our ‘base’ farm, where our winery is located and which David farms as well. Our focus is on different soil types, different mountains and mainly bush vines. In the cellar we have a minimal intervention approach and only add sulphur to our wines. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Domaine Clusel Roch Côte Rôtie 1999 we opened with Yves Cuilleron in 2010 while working a vintage with him. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Rall White, Thorne & Daughters.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Darren Brodgen Vincisive Wines UK Fir Trees Claydon LECHLADE GL7 3DS 07747 656 590 darren@vincisive.com www.vincisive.co.uk 50
David & Nadia Sadie
Table 24
White
2014
Paardebosch Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13.5%
£15.95
White
2014
Chenin Blanc
Swartland
13.5%
£23.50
White
2014
Aristargos
Swartland
13.5%
£24.95
Red
2014
Paardebosch Pinotage
Swartland
12.5%
£16.95
Red
2014
Grenache
Swartland
13.5%
£27.00
Red
2013
Elpidios
Swartland
13.5%
£29.95
51
Table 25 Yardstick Adam Mason PROFILE The concept of freshness best describes what we are trying to achieve with Yardstick and Marvelous wines. A chef and a winemaker have collaborated to create a range of light, yet by no means simple, wines whose sole ‘raison d’etre’ is to invigorate and refresh the palate, playing the difficult role of second fiddle to food, rather that overwhelming it. The grapes we use to produce our wines are sourced throughout the Cape winegrowing regions, with a focus on alpine and extreme maritime sites to ensure firm levels of natural acidity, and mature vineyards to ensure naturally balanced levels of flavour and concentration. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: For some reason, I often think back to a moment involving a bottle of ‘La Gitana’ Manzanilla from Bodegas Hildalgo I had lugged from Jerez to friends in Dartmouth. We grilled fresh caught mackerel right there on the pebbles of Blackpool Sands Beach, and I can still smell the salt air, fresh perfume of char-grilled mackerel and the cold water of the sea from that day. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? I’ll definitely be popping over to taste Hannes Storm’s Pinot Noir.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 52
Yardstick
Table 25
White
2013
Marvelous Yellow
Western Cape
13%
£13.95
Red
2013
Marvelous Red
Western Cape
13.5%
£13.95
Red
2013
Marvelous Blue
Western Cape
13.5%
£13.95
White
2013
Chardonnay
Western Cape
13%
£19.95
Red
2013
Pinot Noir
Western Cape
12.5%
£19.95
53
Table 26 Alheit Vineyards Chris & Suzaan Alheit PROFILE The purpose of our wine is to show that the Cape’s vinous heritage is worth celebrating and preserving. Our aim is to offer something that cannot be copied or repeated by other wine producing countries. We work heritage grapes from older, dry-farmed, low-yielding bush vine vineyards. We have several such plots under long-term contracts. We are proud to say that we pay a high price for the privilege of preserving some of the Cape’s truly special vineyards. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Sequillo White 2007. Matassa Blanc 2003. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten 2007. Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Auslese 2007. Beaucastel Vieilles Vignes Roussanne 2003. Château Rayas 1998. Terroir al Limit les Manyes 2008. All of these played the role of sign-post at various points in walk with wine. The earliest was the Sequillo – we just didn’t know that white wine could taste like that. Then it was the Rieslings. Riesling still holds a huge fascination for us. Matassa Blanc was an atom bomb of possibilities for white wine in warm climates. Les Manyes for spice and elegance in Red. All of the above for sense of place and authenticity. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Sadie Family Palladius.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 54
Alheit Vineyards White
2014
Cartology
Western Cape
Red
2015
Flotsam & Jetsam Cinsault
Darling
13.5%
Table 26 ÂŁ28.00
TBA
55
Table 27 The Foundry Chris Williams PROFILE Established in 2000, The Foundry is the brainchild of Meerlust cellarmaster, Chris Williams, in partnership with his long-term friend James Reid. Owning no vineyards, The Foundry works closely with a handful of growers across the Cape to secure grapes from sites which are best suited to each of the four varieties it works with: Syrah, Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc; in recognition of the great wines of the Mediterranean. All are vinified, matured and bottled at the Meerlust estate in Stellenbosch. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Domaine Comte de Vogüé Musigny 1985. One sip of this and it all made sense: Life, wine, the universe and my own starring role in it all. Having been seduced by the big fashionable wines of the 1990s, this wine was the antithesis to all of those. The nose was musk, compote and freshly shot game. The palate had depth, not breadth. Linear and pure, it danced around my palate, it persisted and lingered and the memory of the flavours remains to this day. This bottle represented a summons, a call to duty, a siren song. Twenty five years later I am still on that odyssey today. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Lismore Viognier.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 56
The Foundry
Table 27
White
2013
Grenache Blanc
Voor Paardeberg
13.5%
£13.95
White
2013
Roussanne
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£13.95
White
2014
Viognier
Stellenbosch
13.5%
£13.95
Red
2008
Syrah
Stellenbosch
£16.95
Red
2009
Syrah
Stellenbosch
£16.95
57
Table 28 Botanica Ginny Povall PROFILE My farm in Stellenbosch is a work in progress as I have just planted over 5 hectares of vines in 2009 and 2010. So while my vineyards come into their own, I’ve been fortunate enough to uncover some special vineyard blocks on unique sites. One Chenin Blanc block is over 55 years old and another that is just under 40 years. I have also been experimenting with different Pinot Noir sites in three different regions. I came to South Africa from the US in 2008 as a harvest intern and ended up buying a farm and beginning a journey that has tested my resolve, but it’s given me a life experience that I never would have imagined. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: I was invited to a Brunello vertical tasting long, long ago at The Wine and Food Society of New York and I am embarrassed to say that I didn’t know what a vertical tasting was at that time, but I will always remember the wine - Cerbaiona. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? There are several that I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting, but one that I really enjoy is Fable Mountain Vineyards Night Sky.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 58
Botanica
Table 28
White
2012
Mary Delany Chenin Blanc
Citrusdal Mountain
13.5%
£19.95
White
2013
Mary Delany Chenin Blanc
Citrusdal Mountain
14%
£19.95
Red
2013
Mary Delany Pinot Noir
Hemel-en-Aarde
13%
£19.95
59
Table 29 Solms Delta Hagen Viljoen PROFILE Solms Delta is an equal third partnership between Mark Solms, Richard Astor and the Wijn De Caab farm workers trust, which is focused on the social transformation and empowerment of its previously disadvantaged residents and employees by embracing the past and working out the challenges together towards a sustainable and ethical future. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: The first wine that really blew me away, was a bottle of Cheval Blanc, whilst doing a vintage in Saint- Émilion. The elegance, power and finesse was beyond anything I had experienced, but it was ultimately the balance that still lingers in my thoughts to date. Since then, my inspiration has shifted towards the Rhône. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? A hard pick, but Momento Grenache – love her white, still have to try her red...
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 60
Solms Delta
Table 29
White
2015
Chenin Blanc
Western Cape
13%
£9.95
White
2014
Amalie
Western Cape
13.5%
£13.95
White
2013
Koloni
Western Cape
13.5%
£15.95
Red
2014
Shiraz
Western Cape
14%
£9.95
Red
2012
Langarm
Western Cape
14%
£9.95
Red
2014
Hiervandaan
Western Cape
13.5%
£15.95
Red
2012
Africana
Western Cape
14.5%
£21.00
61
Table 30 Thorne & Daughters John Seccombe PROFILE Thorne and Daughters was started by John and Tasha Seccombe in 2012 to produce honest Cape wines from a diverse range of vineyard parcels. The idea was to combine simple, ‘old school’ winemaking with a little bit of modern ‘edge’ where we can find it. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: A Zind-Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl Riesling that friends and I shared at the end of our Barossa harvest in 2003. I’ve never experienced a wine as arresting and engaging as that before. After that, there was no choice but to make wine WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Boekenhoutskloof Semillon – magic.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 62
Thorne & Daughters White
2014
Rocking Horse
Western Cape
13.5%
Table 30 ÂŁ24.00
63
Table 31 Fable Mountain Vineyards Rebecca Tanner & Paul Nicholls PROFILE Located up against the rugged slopes of the Witzenberg Mountain range, Fable focuses on producing pure expressions of Rhône varieties. Our isolated biodynamic farm is high up on the edge of the Witzenberg Nature Reserve. It is here at elevations between 400-650m that we have 32 hectares of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache Noir. There is virtually no topsoil on our site before the vines roots make their way into the ancient vertical shale. The vines have to grow slowly and patiently here resulting in low yields and concentrated fruit. Our winemaking mimics our vines and is patient and focused. The winery is designed to treat the grapes as gently as possible: gravity flow, hand punch-downs, large format oak and basket presses. Winemaking is as natural as possible with no additions of any kind except a small amount of sulphur at bottling. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: All of them, wine keeps changing our life. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Porseleinberg.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 64
Fable Mountain Vineyards
Table 31
White
2012
Jackal Bird
Western Cape
13%
£24.95
Rosé
2014
Belle Flower
Swartland
12%
£24.95
Red
2012
Night Sky
Coastal
14%
£24.95
Red
2012
Syrah
Tulbagh
14%
£39.95
65
Table 32 Beaumont Sebastian Beaumont PROFILE I’ve been very fortunate to grow up on this small piece of soil, to have spent my childhood eating grapes off the vines and now to be in a position to convert these same vineyards 40 years later into some delicious wines. I am passionate about Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Mourvèdre and try to produce wines that capture the essence of this unique terroir. We are a family business and we have used our surname for the brand. We are proud of every bottle we produce. ‘Erectus non Elatus’. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Moulin Touchais 1954 – I had just started studying winemaking and had a job in a wine shop at the time and got to pour this for a tasting group. There was a little left in the bottle. The wine was sublime and I fell in love with sweet wines! To me, they are in some ways the ultimate expression of a grape’s character. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? That is a cruel question – this is a magical line-up of producers with a lot of wines that I would like to drink. Forced to choose, then it would be John Seccombe – Thorne & Daughters white blend.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 66
Darren Brodgen Vincisive Wines UK Fir Trees Claydon LECHLADE GL7 3DS 07747 656 590 darren@vincisive.com www.vincisive.co.uk
Beaumont
Table 32
White
2015
Chenin Blanc
Bot River
13.5%
£11.95
White
2014
Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc
Bot River
13%
£21.00
Red
2013
Pinotage
Bot River
13.5%
£18.95
Red
2012
Shiraz-Mourvèdre
Bot River
13.5%
£19.95
67
Table 33 The Liberator Rick, The Cape Crusader PROFILE Beyond the periphery of South Africa’s conventional vineyard regions lie great vinous treasures, resigned to anonymity; forgotten, abandoned or just simply undiscovered. It is the mission of Rick, our intrepid Cape Crusader, to seek out and liberate these rare wines, consigning them to the table of the most inquisitive and discerning imbiber. Each episode represents a single discovery; a precious parcel that is both unique and finite. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: It was in the summer of 1981 and I was 20 years old. Coming from a family of virtual teetotallers, wine was a new discovery for me. My cathartic moment happened with a bottle of Vouvray Sec 1969 from Domaine Huet, purchased at Avery’s of Bristol. Almost a third of a century on from that first taste of great Chenin Blanc, Gaston Huet remains my all-time wine hero. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Renowned for his unreserved modesty, Rick says: ‘It would certainly be one of my own…’
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 68
The Liberator Table 33 White
2014
The Francophile Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch
14%
£9.95
White
2014
Episode 6 – Doctor Melck and the Spiders from SARS
Stellenbosch
14%
£12.50
Red
2014
The Francophile Syrah
Stellenbosch
13%
£9.95
Red
2013
Episode 5 – Old Breton
Franschhoek
14%
£16.95
Red
2014
Episode 7 – Swartland Evolution
Swartland
13.5%
£13.95
Red
2013
Abraham and the Heretics Pinotage
Stellenbosch
14%
£9.95
69
Table 34 Miles Mossop Wines Eagles’ Nest PROFILE Miles Mossop Wines: Miles burst onto the scene in 2004 when the first wines were made: Max 2004, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, and Saskia 2004, a blend of Chenin and Viognier. It is a family business with Miles as winemaker and viticulturist. The wines are named after Miles and Samantha’s children, with production limited to 30 tonnes in total. Eagles’ Nest: Following a fire in 2000, that served as the genesis to Eagles’ Nest wines, Stuart Botha and his small yet capable team have been working the steep, rocky slopes of this ruggedly beautiful mountainside and unveiling wines with a truly unique character that express the environment in which they are produced. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Miles Mossop: A bottle of Klein Constantia Blanc de Blanc 1987 at a tasting presented by my father in 1997. I couldn’t believe that a white wine from South Africa could still be that amazing. Stuart Botha: Château Rayas 2000, although shared sparingly with many others, the small tasting that was placed before me was a truly inspiring wine experience. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Miles Mossop: Beaumont Hope Marguerite. Stuart Botha: David Sadie Grenache. IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 70
Miles Mossop Wines, Eagles’ Nest Table 34 White
2012
Miles Mossop ‘Saskia’
Western Cape
14%
£19.95
Red
2012
Miles Mossop ‘Max’
Stellenbosch
14%
£19.95
Eagle’s Nest White
2014
Eagles’ Nest Viognier
Constantia
13.5%
£24.95
Red
2010
Eagles’ Nest Merlot
Constantia
14%
£19.95
Red
2012
Eagles’ Nest Shiraz
Constantia
14.5%
£29.95
71
Table 35 Sijnn Simon Farr PROFILE A beautiful pioneering wine estate in the middle of nowhere at the end of a long, dusty, bumpy road at the southern tip of Africa. The vineyards are situated between the tiny hamlet of Malgas and Cape Infanta at the mouth of the Breede River. The original Khoisan inhabitants called the Breede River Sijnn [pr. say-n]. Perched on a plateau of slate and rolled stones, the farm is located about 15km from the southern oceans of Africa. At this stage, there are no other vineyards within a 40km radius. The first planting of bush vines was in 2004 and the maiden vintage of Sijnn was in 2007. The new Malgas ward was formed in 2010. The cellar and tasting room was completed in 2014, providing Sijnn with a home. Winemaking team: David Trafford and Charla Haasbroek. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Château Talbot 1900 consumed in its entirety with the late great John Arlott in the mid-1970s WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? Magnetic North by Chris and Suzaan Alheit – I am fascinated by the diversity of new and old vineyard sites in the Cape and very encouraged that they are finally being discovered by wine lovers.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Richard Kelley MW Dreyfus Ashby Saddler’s Cottage Chapel Street EATON Leicestershire NG32 1SQ 01636 858774 richard@dreyfus-ashby.co.uk www.dreyfus-ashby.co.uk 72
Sijnn
Table 35
White
2013
Malgas White
Malgas
14%
£19.95
White
2014
Malgas White
Malgas
14%
£19.95
Red
2013
Touriga Naçional
Malgas
14%
£19.95
Red
2010
Malgas Red
Malgas
14.5%
£23.95
Red
2012
Syrah
Malgas
14.5%
£24.95
Red
2013
Syrah
Malgas
14.5%
£24.95
73
Table 36 Dewaldt Heyns Saronsberg PROFILE My father’s weathered hands testify to a lifetime of faithful toil among the vineyards of this Swartland farm. This stark yet beautiful region leaves its mark on all who call it home. These wines are the fulfilment of my lifelong dream to express this region’s unique and enduring character. It is inspired by the land I grew up on, and dedicated to the man whose love for the vine was the start of my own. Made from bush vines – some older than 40 years – planted by the old man himself, it doesn’t get more personal than this. THE BOTTLE OF WINE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE: Rather than a bottle of wine, it is my father’s vineyards and his love of the vine that served as my inspiration and determined my path. WHICH BOTTLE OF WINE IN THE ROOM WOULD YOU MOST WANT TO DRINK? I hope life never gets so depressing that I’ll be limited to one bottle of my fellow winemakers’ wines.
IMPORTER DETAILS: Alexandra Howard H2Vin Ltd Southbank House Black Prince Road LONDON SE1 7SJ 020 3478 7376 info@h2vin.co.uk www.h2vin.co.uk 74
Dewaldt Heyns, Saronsberg
Table 36
White
2011
Weathered Hands Chenin Blanc
Swartland
14%
£17.00
Red
2012
Weathered Hands Pinotage
Swartland
14.5%
£23.00
Red
2009
Weathered Hands Shiraz
Swartland
14.5%
£25.00
White
2013
Saronsberg Viognier
Tulbagh
13.5%
£15.50
Red
2014
Saronsberg ‘Artspace’ Shiraz Mourvèdre
Coastal
14.5%
£11.00
Red
2013
Saronsberg Shiraz
Tulbagh
14.5%
£23.00
Red
2013
Saronsberg ‘Full Circle’
Tulbagh
14.5%
£30.00
75
New Wave South Africa Notes
76