Offers
Two New South African Wines
We have two new exciting releases from two of our favourite South African producers.
Chamonix 2007 Pinotage ‘Greywacke’
Chamonix is located in Franschhoek and is mostly known for their stunning Pinots and Chardonnays. Their 2008 Reserve Chardonnay was one of the Platter Guide’s 5 Star winners. We have just taken delivery of their ‘Greywacke’ Pinotage – a wine which we are quite excited about.
Pinotage is normally a love it or hate it wine. I’m normally in the latter camp, but this wine might just have converted me. Pinotage is a cross variety (Pinot Noir x Cinsault) and is the signature grape of the Cape. Chamonix’s winemaker Gottfried Mocke (SA winemaker of the year 2006) uses top quality grapes combined with some clever techniques in the cellar to extract the ripest flavours and spicy complex fruit from this variety. The wine undergoes a second alcoholic fermentation, in a technique similar to making Valpolicella Ripasso, where partially dried and concentrated grapes are added to the already fermented wine, enriching the flavours and adding another layer of concentration.
The resulting wine is dense and brambly with hints of spices and chocolate, but with none of the musty flavours normally associated with this variety.
If you love South African wines and either loathe or love Pinotage, then this is the wine for you.
The Foundry 2009 Grenache Blanc
The Foundry is a virtual winery, run by Chris Williams, whose day job is winemaker at Meerlust, one of the Cape’s most prestigious wineries. Chris achieved star status very early in his career obtaining a 5 star Platter award with his inaugural vintage, 2001, of the Syrah.
This is the first release of this wine which has the addition of 10% Viogner adding to the complexity of the wine, and some fresh acidity. The wine is rich and textured with a mineral, stoned fruit character.
Another great success, and superb value to boot.