WanderCurtis Wine

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South African Wines at High Timber Restaurant – Friday Evening June 28th

With  Jo and Claudia of Wines of South Africa ,we tasted 28  wines, with a three course dinner( main course of 28 day matured sirloin ) and drinks reception (Jordans Riesling) on the terrace , at the fabulous High Timber Restaurant on the banks of the River Thames.It’s founders are Gary and Kathy Jordan of Jordans Wine Estate , South Africa.Neleen Strauss co-owner treated us royally, the food and service at High Timber excellent.

Wines included  the following ;

Whites – Howard Booysen Riesling,Boer and Brit Sauvignon Blanc,Steenberg sauvignon,SAAM middleburg Chenin Blanc,Radford Dale Chenin,Delaire chardonnay,Journeys End chardonnay,Beau Constanta Viognier,Steenberg Magna Carta, FMC Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc

Red– Radford Dale Pinot Noir , Crystallum Pinot, Crystallum Hemel en Aarde Valley pinot noir,Journeys End Merlot and Cape Doctor,Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage,Keermont Syrah,Radford Dale Syrah,Anthonij Rupert 2007,Kaapzicht steyler vision 2008,Holden Manz big G.

We were really lucky to be able to try such a huge selection of great wines

which showed the great variety and quality of South African wine.Full write up and tasting notes

to follow.


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Felton Road Bannockburn 2011

Lovely nose of cherries and burn’t toast. On the palate luscious fruit, with nice backbone, baked fruit pie and long spicey savoury notes. Totally delicious this will no doubt develop over time but it will be hard job not to polish off the whole case long before that!

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Lay & Wheeler (aka Majestic) Rhone 2011 tasting

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Some great wines on show at this en primeur tasting. Highlights were:

Lovely Condrieu Vieille Vignes by Ogier,
Floral, full with a fresh salty tang.

Superb wines poured by Rene Rostaing included the perfumed, finely balanced and restrained Cote Blonde contrasting with dark manly La Landonne.

Domaine du Colombier Croze and Hermitage delivered well above their price.

In the south loved meeting Jean-Michel Vache of Le Clos de Cazaux whose refined Vacqueyras I have long been a fan of.  He makes the Wine Society’s Exhibition Vacqueras which is tremendous value.

I have to admit that the massively concentrated, extracted & ‘over the top’ nature of most of the Chateauneuf du Papes nearly caused me to lose faith with this region.

That was until I got to the marvellous, classic & refined wines of both Vieux Telegraphe and Cht Beaucastel. Wines made to last but with clean fruit and freshness.


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Bulgarian beauty

Made in the Thracian Lowlands region around Elenovo village in Bulgaria by Italian winemaker Edoardo Miroglio, this 2007 pinot noir really is a find. Beautiful black cherry nose, smoke, oaky nuances, sweet tannins, a hint of Hungarian Tokay. Comparable with many a fine burgundy. In fact, it reminded me of Chambolle musigny from our recent Burgundy tour, that same complex smokiness.

This bottle slipped down well with truite a la fenouil. Suitably impressed wine aficionado (cousin Steve). Available from the brilliant Swig at less than £10 a bottle.


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Alpha Domus ‘The Navigator’ Hawkes Bay NZ 2004

We spent a delightful weekend at Hotel Terravina in the New Forest. This place is a wine lovers paradise. It is the baby of Gerard Bassett (cofounder of Hotel du Vin). There are some 430 wines on the wine list. Gerard is an MW and hosts tastings. His selection is a revelation. Head sommelier Laurent happily stopped during a busy evening to show me the beautiful red-bricked wine cellar. There are two – one under the hotel and a stunning open plan cellar off the restaurant.

Alpha Domus has a rich aroma of berry fruit with hints of spice and oak, rather elegant with a firm finish. Available at approximately £13 a bottle at everywine.co.uk.
Not a blockbuster but happily recommend it.