South Africa beat France today in the World Cup.
South Africa has been beating France in wine for years.
Tonight I tasted the 2008 vintage of Glen Carlou Chardonnay from South Africa. It sells in the states for $14.99 a bottle. It is delicious. Balanced fruit, oak and acidity that would cost twice the amount if it was from France. Richer than a Macon/Pouilly Fuisse, it not quite as rich as a Meursault. Just a good drink. As well as a cocktail wine, there is enough stuffing and acid for this wine to be a worker with food. I am thinking more chicken and pork rather than fish. Unless it is a highly seasoned fish. Cream, butter sauce is optional.
Glen Carlou is in the Paarl region of South Africa. The estate has a reported good place to eat, I did not eat there when I last visited, but the view is wonderful. I tasted on the deck that overlooked a ridge of mountains that gave credence to "purple mountains majesty above the fruited plane." In addition Glen Carlou is owned by Hess of Switzerland. Hess is one of the great modern art collectors in the world. The gallery there is everchanging and is even enjoyed by me, a modern art boor.
Showing posts with label Chardonnay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chardonnay. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Name that wine
There is a family of South African wines you can get in the US but not in South Africa. Sounds silly, but true. The Jardin wines of South Africa are fabulous and only available in the US. The reason? The family name is on the label in South Africa and the family name is Jordan, no relation to the California Jordan's but that is way the name is changed here in the US.
Jardin best Chardonnay is a barrel selection of all their Chardonnay. It is called Nine Yards Chardonnay, because it is the whole nine yards. Ok, I just made that up, I don't know why its called Nine Yards. What I do know that another South African winery has joined the style of California and France to make a delicious wine. The 2005 vintage is $29.99 a bottle. Not a typo, 2005! Most Cal Chards are long gone by 5 years of age, this one is just starting to peak. Noticeable oak in harmony with great fruit flavors, crisp acidity and some mellow yellow color are evident in this wine. Closer in style to a Meursault with some hints of hazelnut, you can serve this wine with or without food. I pick the food because this allows the wine to show more versatility. There is also a 2003 Cabernet available from Jardin, that is equally as yummy and has the one thing a winemaker cannot create, bottle age and the flavors that come with it.
Jardin best Chardonnay is a barrel selection of all their Chardonnay. It is called Nine Yards Chardonnay, because it is the whole nine yards. Ok, I just made that up, I don't know why its called Nine Yards. What I do know that another South African winery has joined the style of California and France to make a delicious wine. The 2005 vintage is $29.99 a bottle. Not a typo, 2005! Most Cal Chards are long gone by 5 years of age, this one is just starting to peak. Noticeable oak in harmony with great fruit flavors, crisp acidity and some mellow yellow color are evident in this wine. Closer in style to a Meursault with some hints of hazelnut, you can serve this wine with or without food. I pick the food because this allows the wine to show more versatility. There is also a 2003 Cabernet available from Jardin, that is equally as yummy and has the one thing a winemaker cannot create, bottle age and the flavors that come with it.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Paul does it again
Paul Cluver of South Africa makes great Gewurztraminer and dessert Riesling. This I know for years. A week or so ago, I tried his Pinot Noir and it is spectacular. I have 25 cases coming in next week.
I just found out about his 2008 Chardonnay. It is spectacular too. But by the time I found out about it, there were only 3 cases left. They are in the store, now. They are $19.99 a bottle. They are more French in style than oaky buttery California Chardonnay. I had it tonight with pan seared scallops and it was a great match. But then again, I love scallops. But then again, the wine is special.
Only 3 cases will be gone soon. Too bad.
I just found out about his 2008 Chardonnay. It is spectacular too. But by the time I found out about it, there were only 3 cases left. They are in the store, now. They are $19.99 a bottle. They are more French in style than oaky buttery California Chardonnay. I had it tonight with pan seared scallops and it was a great match. But then again, I love scallops. But then again, the wine is special.
Only 3 cases will be gone soon. Too bad.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
South African Chardonnay
The biggest selling white wine in the store is Indaba Chenin Blanc 2009 vintage. When the winemaker, Bruwer Raats was visiting last month, he strongly urged trying the Chardonnay when it arrived. Salesman brought it to taste today. The drought of tasting tons of weak white wines is over. This Chardonnay is tremendous.
It is NOT oaky California style. It is rich South African style. Not lean smokey Chablis either. It is luscious and minerally at the same time. A wine oxymoron. Compared to the Chenin Blanc, it is the extra richness that you notice first, and then you can taste the flavor difference. Chardonnay tastes like Chardonnay and Chenin tastes like Chenin. Raats told me that this 2009 vintage is as great for red as the whites too. Can't wait to try the better ones....in a couple of years.
It is NOT oaky California style. It is rich South African style. Not lean smokey Chablis either. It is luscious and minerally at the same time. A wine oxymoron. Compared to the Chenin Blanc, it is the extra richness that you notice first, and then you can taste the flavor difference. Chardonnay tastes like Chardonnay and Chenin tastes like Chenin. Raats told me that this 2009 vintage is as great for red as the whites too. Can't wait to try the better ones....in a couple of years.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April 18th
Is there a blog equivalent to "Stop the Presses!?"
Ctrl, Alt, Delete?
I love the classics. Perfect Foie Gras, Creme Brulee, Hot dog with mustard and relish at Fenway.
Domaine Alain Normand 2008 Macon La Roche Vineuse at $19.99 is a classic.
100% Chardonnay from the town of La Roche Vineuse in the district of Macon in the department of Burgundy in the country of France, is a perfectly made dry white wine that rivals Cote d'Or white wines for a third the price. Stay away from this if you like oaky-buttery California Chardonnays, but if you want to learn and not be dissappointed with classic French style Chardonnay, this is the big big winner. Dry, crisp, fruity, balanced with oak not obliterated by it, this is a wonderful wine to drink all summer, nay, all year, well, as long as we have it. It will make seafood sing, chicken chirp and cheese chime. It is one of those wines that the bottle empties too fast and you will wish you had more.
Buy a single bottle first, then buy it by the case only if you love it. If you don't love it, fine by me, cuz more for me.
Ctrl, Alt, Delete?
I love the classics. Perfect Foie Gras, Creme Brulee, Hot dog with mustard and relish at Fenway.
Domaine Alain Normand 2008 Macon La Roche Vineuse at $19.99 is a classic.
100% Chardonnay from the town of La Roche Vineuse in the district of Macon in the department of Burgundy in the country of France, is a perfectly made dry white wine that rivals Cote d'Or white wines for a third the price. Stay away from this if you like oaky-buttery California Chardonnays, but if you want to learn and not be dissappointed with classic French style Chardonnay, this is the big big winner. Dry, crisp, fruity, balanced with oak not obliterated by it, this is a wonderful wine to drink all summer, nay, all year, well, as long as we have it. It will make seafood sing, chicken chirp and cheese chime. It is one of those wines that the bottle empties too fast and you will wish you had more.
Buy a single bottle first, then buy it by the case only if you love it. If you don't love it, fine by me, cuz more for me.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Two old friends
Two of the first batch of South African wines that started me on this happy path for wine fun are the Glen Carlou Chardonnay and the Wolftrap Red Blend. The rep was in today with new vintages on both and both are delicious.
The Glen Carlou Chardonnay new vintage is 2008. An erratic quality year in South Africa, Glen Carlou nailed its traditional French styling with balance between fruit, wood and acid. There seemed to be a touch more oak in the 2008 vintage compared to 2007. This added sensation of oak gave the wine a richer weight that was balanced by crisp acid. It reminded me of Meursault from France. Glen Carlou is $15, Meursault is $50, you do the math.
The Wolftrap is the entry level red wine to the aforementioned Chocolate Block which is made by Boekenhoutskloof in Franschoek South Africa. Wolftrap is a blend of red and white grapes that yields a steal at $9.99 a bottle. Complex in flavor and aroma, it handles red meat and all cheeses with ease. This is a contender for house red wine of the year. Serve with barbque for a wonderful match.
Am very proud of myself, just double-checked the spelling of Boekenhoutskloof and I got it right without looking the first time.
The Glen Carlou Chardonnay new vintage is 2008. An erratic quality year in South Africa, Glen Carlou nailed its traditional French styling with balance between fruit, wood and acid. There seemed to be a touch more oak in the 2008 vintage compared to 2007. This added sensation of oak gave the wine a richer weight that was balanced by crisp acid. It reminded me of Meursault from France. Glen Carlou is $15, Meursault is $50, you do the math.
The Wolftrap is the entry level red wine to the aforementioned Chocolate Block which is made by Boekenhoutskloof in Franschoek South Africa. Wolftrap is a blend of red and white grapes that yields a steal at $9.99 a bottle. Complex in flavor and aroma, it handles red meat and all cheeses with ease. This is a contender for house red wine of the year. Serve with barbque for a wonderful match.
Am very proud of myself, just double-checked the spelling of Boekenhoutskloof and I got it right without looking the first time.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April in Paris
is good, but give me the Cape on a day like today. For you non-New Englanders, the Cape is Cape Cod and today was gorgeous for a Spring day and the last of my Cape wine tasting shows that I attend.
Tasted a lot of mediocre wine, very little bad wine and only a few really yummy wines.
A big surprise was Sawbuck Chardonnay from California. Lots of complex fruit flavors, hints of apricot, pineapple, and apple in a nicely balanced, not too oaky, not un-oaked white wine. The price, well a Sawbuck of course. Very well done California afternoon sipping wine.
Not a surprise was the Nino Negri 2006 Sfursat. Yup, Sfursat is spelled korrektly. The local Chiavanesca grapes, local dialect for Nebbiolo, the grape of Barolo, for this wine are allowed to slightly dry, like an Amarone. You get those big woody fruit flavors in a powerful red wine that screams to be served with a Gorgonzola infused dish. Or just a plate of great cheeses. This will retail for $50 a bottle.
Will blog about a few more, when they come in. The above wines were promised delivery this week. We shall see.
Tasted a lot of mediocre wine, very little bad wine and only a few really yummy wines.
A big surprise was Sawbuck Chardonnay from California. Lots of complex fruit flavors, hints of apricot, pineapple, and apple in a nicely balanced, not too oaky, not un-oaked white wine. The price, well a Sawbuck of course. Very well done California afternoon sipping wine.
Not a surprise was the Nino Negri 2006 Sfursat. Yup, Sfursat is spelled korrektly. The local Chiavanesca grapes, local dialect for Nebbiolo, the grape of Barolo, for this wine are allowed to slightly dry, like an Amarone. You get those big woody fruit flavors in a powerful red wine that screams to be served with a Gorgonzola infused dish. Or just a plate of great cheeses. This will retail for $50 a bottle.
Will blog about a few more, when they come in. The above wines were promised delivery this week. We shall see.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wrong Again
I am frequently asked, "Bob, I want a Chardonnay that is oaky but not buttery and not expensive, what have you got?" I fumblishly reply that it doesn't exist, oak aging lends to butteryness. Well, guess who proved me wrong?
If you said a South African winery, you are correct. Jardin 2008 Chardonnay at $14.99 a bottle surprised the bleep out of me with its rich complex oak flavor in harmony with great acidity, minerality and all-around yummy flavors. I can see this wine being the lobster clambake wine for the summer of 2009, if the sun would ever come out this year in New England.
For you international folks, the Jardin label exists for the United States. In South Africa, the Jordan family owns the property, makes the wines and has no relation to the Jordan family of California, hence the name difference. The rest of the world sees the wine as Jordan Chardonnay of South Africa.
And a real clambake has chowdah, made with milk. State law in Massachusetts.
If you said a South African winery, you are correct. Jardin 2008 Chardonnay at $14.99 a bottle surprised the bleep out of me with its rich complex oak flavor in harmony with great acidity, minerality and all-around yummy flavors. I can see this wine being the lobster clambake wine for the summer of 2009, if the sun would ever come out this year in New England.
For you international folks, the Jardin label exists for the United States. In South Africa, the Jordan family owns the property, makes the wines and has no relation to the Jordan family of California, hence the name difference. The rest of the world sees the wine as Jordan Chardonnay of South Africa.
And a real clambake has chowdah, made with milk. State law in Massachusetts.
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