Feeling French

Besides being big & lovely & friendly, these wines were strangely familiar – as though they’d been a part of my life before. They were inherently familiar. Sort of déjà vu wines. I liked them.

WHITE:

·         Vin D’Orrance Chardonnay (2011): Scones & orange marmalade, orange butter, chestnuts, quince marmalade, burnt sugar, BIG flavour, I’d like to eat it as a food, eggs & Hollandaise, pithy as it warms, comforting fullness, cold weather white, French toast on empty glass with butter & honey. 2 vineyards 100km apart. 100% Chard. 40% new oak. (**)

·         Vin D’Orrance Chenin (2012): Hanepoot grapes, white Jelly Babies, litchi, savoury figs, much more bitter on the palate, Camembert nose, tastes like the skin, stone fruit pip, post-peach eating mouthfeel, peach pips in milk. Pairs well with spicy & creamy foods. 38 year old single vineyard.

RED:

·         Vin D’Orrance Syrah (2010): Orange spice, spiced black forest, Christmas cake with orange liqueur, velvety softness, creamy spiciness, orange zest lurking, dark chocolate filled with Cointreau baked into a spicy black forest cake, endless winter nights by the fireside, blueberry Jolly Jammers, spice grows, spicy caramel on empty glass. 40% new oak, combination of 22 year old bush vines and 7 year old new vines. (*)

Facts of the French:

·         2009 vintage was unreleased

·         Produce 30 000 bottle per year

·         Export to 14 countries

·         Blends from different terroirs

·         Produce Simply White & Simply Red

·         New Pinot Noir currently fermenting

·         Chenin was at Prince Albert of Monaco’s wedding