Saturday, 11 May 2013

A Way with (Painted) Wolves


Painted Wolf

I loved this tasting for a number of reasons
1. There was Roussanne
2. The winemaker, Jeremy, is a fascinating chap that you kinda wish was your uncle
3. I got to keep a toy wild dog on my lap all through the tasting
4. There was Roussanne 

 WHITE:
  • Den Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Rosalind):  Buttery asparagus, pears, soft but sauvy, vegetable quiche, comforting but juicy, North-facing vines, 1986 vines, 12,8% alcohol (*)
  • Den Chenin Blanc 2012: Pineapple, litchis, buttered toast, crème brulee sugar topping, apricot, lightly oaked, round, French oak staves (**)
  • Black Pack Roussanne: Sweet raisins, syrupy, mango, rich, buttery, velvety, easting buttery pastry of a treacle fruit tart, very woody, nose softens as it breathes. 7 months in barrel, grape is naturally intense, flavour comes from the wine vs the wood (***)
  • Lekanyane 2010: Setswana word, imitation Roussanne. Chenin, Viognier, Verdelho. Baked butter pastry, savoury, saltyness lurking, silky vs velvet – friendly Dirty Julie = Clean Julie. Green tinge, low pH (3.2) – longer aging potential (*)
  • Penny Viognier: Kasteelsig Nativo wine, apricots & honeysuckle, geranium, ginger, bicarb, savoury finish, salty freshness, skips vintages, own yeast, 5g sugar (**)
  • Black Pack Wild Yeast Chenin Blanc: Barrel fermented, own yeast, cheese wine, 12g sugar, apricots, rich, truffles, pasta in truffle oil, comforting without being too rich, light yet rich, oily mouthfeel (***)

Words on Whites:
  • Thelema Viognier Roussanne blend! (disappointingly light – post-tasting @ farm)
  • Jansis Robson, Arts Clarke, Robert Parker – wine critics
  • Elizabeth David – cookery
  • 14 wines – 6 whites, 7 – 8 000 cases per year
  • Tartric acid forms crystals in barrels – prevents permeability of wood = wine gems
  • Leeuwenkuil – Chenin grapes
  • Roussanne – Northern Rhone (home of Shiraz), Hermitage appellation, less than 10ha in SA, texture & mouthfeel, 3 -4 producers in SA, low wooding generally
  • Cab Sauv = Cab Franc with Sauv Blanc nose – 1860’s
  • Viognier = eastern spices, candida of moulded cheeses
  • Own yeasts give wines more texture, complexity & sugar

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