On the 12th of March Andrew Lombard brought the wines of BC to us. His tastings are great, with interesting and massively affordable wines! It is always great to have Andrew present to us. Last year his Halftien Red blend came third in almost 301 wines tasted. The following is the order we tasted the wines in, the comments of the tasters and the average scores.
1. Tienuur white blend 2022 (85% Chenin Blanc, 10% Chardonnay & 5% Viognier)
Colour- light green, gradating to a golden rim. Nose- orange blossom, citrus, apricot, honey and honey comb, spices with cloves and cinnamon. Palate- crisp acidity, spices, cloves, orange, toast, nutty, lemon, honeyed.
Score- 15.80.
2. Bacchanté 2022 (Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Colombar, RS 17.5g/l)
Colour- light golden, gradating to yellowing rim. Nose- floral, waxy, citrus, apple, honey. Palate- crisp acidity, juicy Golden delicious and Starkling apples, citrus, honey.
Score- 16.40.
3. Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Brut NV
Colour-light green, with a lively mousse. Nose- citrus with lemon and oranges, apples. Palate- crisp acids, oranges, lemons, apples, pear drops, melon.
Score- 15.75.
4. Ruby Cabernet – Merlot 2022 (60/40)
Colour- inky purple red, gradating to a clear rim. Nose- spice, citrus, black currant and cherry, Ribena, caramel. Palate- crisp acidity, soft tannins, caramel, Christmas cake, cherries and berries, plum and prunes.
Score- 16.40.
5. Halftien Red 2022 (40% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot & 10% Malbec)
Colour- inky deep red, not gradating to a clear rim. Nose- black berries and cherries, savoury, chocolate, tobacco, meaty, caramel and toffee. Palate- crisp acidity, soft but firm tannins, caramel, toffee, chocolate, black cherry and currants, tobacco and bitter dark chocolates.
Score- 16.80.
Two new firsts the Tienuur and the Bacchanté. The Bacchanté with its 17.5g/l sugar, tasted off-dry, not sweet, fruit driven, a lovely wine, at a very affordable price. The Tienuur was fruity. I now re-tasted this wine and it is nutty and honeyed, almost tastes like there was wild yeast fermentation. Watch the Tienuur as it develops, and becomes something luscious! Top wine, the Tienuur, and then a tie between the Bacchanté and the Ruby Cabernet – Merlot, very interesting! Thanks Andrew for the most affordable tasting so far! Look for BC wines, their prices will astound you!