On the 8th of August Andrew Lombard of Bbandvlei Cellar wines visited us and presented an amazing tasting! A first for a while was a ten bottle tasting filled with fantastically priced wines, with exceptional quality. The tasting order the wines were tasted in, the comments of the tasters and the scores.
1. Vonkel Wyn (Sauvignon Blanc) NV
Colour-light green, with a full forthcoming mousse. Nose- savoury, guava, passion fruit. Palate- crisp acidity, passion fruit, guava which lingers to the finish, with a hint of sweetness and honeyed.
Score- 16.00.
2. Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Colour- light green. Nose- tropical, guava, pear drops and passion fruit. Palate- crisp acidity, tropical, slightly dusty feel, with apples and passion fruit.
Score- 15.33.
3. Chenin Blanc 2022
Colour- light green. Nose- peach and citrus. Palate- crisp acidity, guava, citrus, peach which lingers to the finish.
Score- 15.56.
4. Chardonnay 2022
Colour- light green, with a golden rim. Nose- savoury, spice, honey, lemons, citrusy. Palate- crisp acidity, passion fruit, apples, spice, with pineapple that lingers to the finish.
Score- 15.44.
5. Bacchanté (Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Viognier) 2022
Colour- light green, with a golden rim. Nose- perfumed, pineapple and honey. Palate- crisp acidity, pineapple, spice, honey that lingers full to the finish.
Score- 16.56.
6. Ruby Cabernet/Merlot (65/35) 2022
Colour- purple red, gradating to red rim. Nose- caramel, red and black cherries, as well as berries, Christmas cake. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, nutty, toffee, red berries and black cherry.
Score- 16.89.
7. Pinotage 2021
Colour- inky purple red, no gradation to red rim. Nose- plum, herbal, menthol, forest floor. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, herbal, plum, chocolate, red berries and cherries, mulberries.
Score- 17.00.
8. Shiraz 2021
Colour- inky dark red, with no gradation to a clear rim. Nose- caramel, toffee, Christmas cake, green herbs. Palate- crisp acidity, gentle tannins, caramel, green herbs, aniseed, spice, black and red cherries.
Score- 15.67.
9. Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Colour- inky dark red, with no gradation to a clear rim. Nose- caramel, sweet toffee, meaty, forest floor. Palate- crisp acidity, firm tannins, savoury, meaty, with a saltiness, black fruits, still needs time, too young.
Score- 16.00.
10. Halftien Red Blend (40% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Malbec) 2020
Colour- inky dark red, with no gradation to a clear rim. Nose- leather, sweaty saddle, fynbos, savoury, olives, red currant. Palate- crisp acidity, firm tannins, mint, black currant, black and red cherries, savoury, olives, complex, lovely wine!
Score- 18.20 (third best wine tasted in 2023, out of 184 wines).
Most of these wines tasted, except for the Halftien retail for less than R50 each! The Halftien (price R110 odd) came third against the De Grendel Sir David Graaff 1st Baronet of Cape Town 2013 (18.29, price over R1500) and the Blaauwklippen Before and After Apéretif NV (18.38, price R460).That is amazing wine at a stunning price. The Pinotage at R46 scoring 17.00 is at 51’s place with 13 other wines. Andrew’s tasting was filled with amazing information about the Cellar, its people and its wine. Thanks Andrew for allowing us to discover these exceptionally priced wines!
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