The Wine From The Beginning

De Grendel:

De Grendel was in fact, the very first wine farm I ever did visit. Since then, I have returned on numerous occasions but only on the most recent visit was I finally in a position to really enjoy The Wines on offer, and lovely wines they were.

MCC:

• MCC Brut (2011): Rye, saltiness, dry wafer tickles, dried apricot cream crackers.

WHITE:

• Pinot Gris (2012): Wheat, grass, cream crackers, smooth, light goat’s cream cheese

• Sauvignon Blanc (2013): Nutty, creamy acid, guava.

• Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc (2013): Longer lees contact, 30% Darling grapes, roast cashews, full, creamy with lurking sharpness.

• Winifred (2011): 48% Chard, 29% Semillon, 23% Viognier. Chard & Viognier – 3 months in new oak. Toasted butterscotch cashew brittle, slightly sharp.

• Viognier (2012): 50% new oak for 3 months. Vanilla, apricot, dusty cashews, flat (*)

ROSE:

• Rose (2013): Cab Sauv/Pinotage. Turkish delight, pink, sweet milk goat’s cheese (*)

RED:

• Pinot Noir (2010): 12 months in French oak, 2^nd & 3^rd fill/ Smokey cherries, earthy, creamy, chocolatey (*)

• Merlot (2010): 13 months in French oak. Sour berries, soft curry, creamy, round, rich, soft tannins.

• Shiraz (2012): 1/3 American oak, 2/3 French, 13 months. Smoked cherry biltong, strawberry, spice, sweetness.

• Rubaiyat (2013): 87% Cab Sauv (37 year old bush vine), 9% Merlot, 8% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Smoked chocolate, tart cherries, smoked mozzarella (**)

DESSERT:

• Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest: Produced once every 4 years. Sour grapes, dried apricots, light & runny (**)

Details on De Grendel:

• Rubaiyat is a range of 16^th century poems, 1 is printed on the label each year
• Poems are 4 lines long which represent the 4 varietals in the blend