Paul J

9.7

Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:

1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.

2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.

3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.


1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.

2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.

3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.

Great night with great friends!
— 6 months ago

with Brooke

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Shiraz (28%) and Merlot (9%). Dark red color. Big aromas of dark fruit and black licorice. Pallet is also full of dark fruit along with dark chocolate, spices and a touch of vanilla. There is a roasted quantity to this wine. Full bodied but well integrated. Long and dry finish. Well made. Thank You Ron B! — 2 years ago

Joe Dunn

8.9

More oferjammy rapsberry. Good funk. A kiss of chocolate. Violet and jasmine. — 3 years ago

with paul

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 3 years ago

DAL 9000

9.3

Big penetrating blackberry/plum bouquet. Peppery plums with a hint of blackberry as it builds. Dry earthy finish! At Bandana’s African wine tasting. I had this wine with Boerwors sausage and tomato+ onion chakalaka! — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Enjoyed at our friend’s on the Big Island for NYE dinner. Dark and opaque. Rich in the mouth. Notes of black fruit, slate stone, some menthol and some five spice. In a good window. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

#1000 at home, finally!

This is big, broad and bold. Hundred percent cab aged in seventy-five percent new French Oak. Limited production to just over two hundred cases.

Visibly the wine is a deep ruby color with a tight rim.

The nose is intense with dark fruit, cassis, coffee, dark chocolate, but also earthy humid forest aromas.

The mouthfeel is luxurious and enveloping with the perfectly ripe dark fruit, just a touch of dried spices, vanilla, oak, and a long savory earthy finish. The wine is dry, full bodied, ultra smooth with round but persistent tannings with medium plus alcohol and medium acidity.

Absolutely love wine… Cheers all! — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2019 vintage. Big and brooding from being disturbed during hibernation. Medium-heavy body. Pretty nose and a smoking profile. Sexy in an earthy, grounded way. Decanted and tasted after 30 mins and 2 hours post-decant. Still super-tight but all the promise of pleasure is there for the long game/cellar. Focus and push for decades. Would like to revisit in five years. 7.30.23. — a year ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

I could literally write everything i know about South African wines on a postage stamp but this tastes great. Its a big boy and no shrinking violet with juicy dark fruit and depth. Somehow reminds me of an italian merlot (which i love!). Great quality to price ratio if you like your wines big and bold — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

The 2015 Glenelly Lady May is a very different wine to the 2013 I tried last year, this time a much more dense, structured iteration that has a lot more in common with young Bordeaux. Less flamboyant and perhaps even a little closed at the moment (indeed, it was only released this year by the estate), it requires generous decanting and even then takes some coaxing from the glass. When it emerges, it offers very classical left-bank aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite, with additional notes of cinnamon, Vimto and menthol. It spent two years ageing in new oak barrels. The palate is much more forthcoming, concentrated with a Port-like density and bright, saturated fruit. Totally harmonious are the tannins and acidity, and the finish really is rather long.

Once again, this is an utterly superb Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend - and with the 2015, with great ageing potential. It’s probably the closest imitation I’ve come across to date. I wouldn’t touch bottles for another five years.

95+ — 3 years ago