Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2018

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!
— 4 days ago

with Brooke

Tom, Severn and 3 others liked this

Mulderbosch

Faithful Hound Merlot Blend 2019

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

Really, an earthy nose here... Cherry, yes... But in a way that I'd characterize as savory black forest cake if it was made of compost instead of sweet chocolate... On the palate, the dominant note I think would be graphite, but with the fuzzy tannins in there, it's not in a precise sense... A dull pencil in need of sharpening? At this point I'd probably need to also describe some green here... Green pepper? Tomato plant? Going back to the nose, I get the aroma now too... Gardening... This wine isn't lightweight... A sausage dish is I think where I'd go as far as pairing as there's some acidity here that could be useful for taming fat. We had this one paired with a flank steak, but really I might go to a fattier cowboy steak next time. The longer I enjoy this wine, the longer the finish seems to get... These tannins are a heck of a drug... With every sip, I actually want to savor more and more... A viscious cycle... — 2 months ago

with Anita

Jean-Luc Colombo

Cape Bleue Rosé Blend

Sharon Roybal

9.6

Loved the strawberry scent but not a sweet wine. Can taste the smoothness of the Syrah grapes — 5 days ago

MAN Family Wines

Bosstok Coastal Region Pinotage

Paula Duarte

9.0

Deep rusty garnet color. Smells like smoke and black licorice. Notes of tar and cherries. Tart, peppery aftertaste. Develops cranberry notes. — 2 months ago

Rust en Vrede

Estate Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark black fruits, smoky herb and woody pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with cacao, burnt tobacco, vanilla and black pepper. Firm tannins, medium+ finish with fruit and spicy smoky oak ending. Will age a bit, 750 cases imported. — 2 months ago

Jake, Paul and 1 other liked this