Bouchard-Finlayson

Bouchard-Finlayson Pinot Noir

After our disappointing visit to Hamilton Russell we decided to try another winery to determine whether finding a good Pinot Noir in South Africa was a fruitless effort.

The tasting room of Bouchard-Finlayson is in a gorgeous thatched roof building.  Workers were in the fields harvesting the grapes and I was ready to taste and have a bite to eat.  The welcome we received was far better than what we had just experienced. 

Bouchard-Finlayson, Hemel en Aarde Valley

The beautiful thatched tasting building



One of the tasting areas





Another tasting area in the barrel room.



Bouchard-Finlayson Chardonnay

We had a great cheese, meat and olive platter for lunch and once again I did not take a picture.  Trust me, it was spectacular and enough food for 3 of us and the cost was $11.00 at the current exchange rate. 

Our favorite white was the Blanc De Mer 2011.  Per the tasting notes this has a Riesling dominance.  The balance is Viognier 22%, Chenin Blanc 10%, Sauvignon Blanc 10%, Chardonnay 5% and Semillon 4%.  The nose was peachy and tropical and on the palate crisp with layers of gooseberries.  I got quite a bit of pineapple, I think my cousin snorted hers from trying to pick up the pineapple notes.  Please note the tasting pours that we get, this is not the 1oz pours in the States.

The Chardonnay Crocodile's Lair 2010 was drinkable.  A titch too much French Oak for my cousin and I, but we both agreed that this was one of the better Chardonnay's out there.  Per the tasting notes it states a 'white peach' personality which I did not find, but my nose is still a baby in picking up various notes, so I am not going to argue with the wine maker.



Bouchard-Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2010

My cousin and I were eager to try their Pinot Noir. Were we going to be disappointed? Was the trip to Hermanus a bust?

I eagerly held my glass up to my schnoz and inhaled.  The bouquet was lots of plum and a titch spicy.  I swirled my glass and took my first sip.  It was smooth, plummy, spicy and a winner.  We both agreed that we had found a great Pinot Noir and promptly placed our orders.
  

Our wonderful wine hostess.



Wine prices in South African Rands



What a great place to have a conference.



Harvesting Pinot Noir. He was so happy to pose for me.



He then removed his hat and was happy to pose with the grapes.



More happy harvesters



I would agree.

We were happy we found a great South African Pinot Noir.  I will be bringing a bottle home with me to share with my friends, I am sure they will mirror my findings.  

  



In search of South African Pinot Noir

As a resident of Oregon and lover of our Pinot Noir's, I wanted to see if I could discover a great Pinot Noir in South Africa.  I was told by quite a few people that Hamilton Russell in Hermanus (East Coast of South Africa) was the best.  The drive from Somerset West is approximately 1 hour along the coast.  This was our view the majority of the way there.





Had to take this picture for Bear.





The tasting room

We arrived in the tasting room and there was a woman cleaning the floors.  We were the only people there.  The wine hostess was in the kitchen, I walked over and asked her where do we do the wine tastings and she pointed to the table (no chairs) and said "There."  Not a great start.

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay and Pinot Noir



Hamilton Russell Chardonnay

I am not a fan of Chardonnay.  There is only one that I enjoy and that is Jan Marc from Portland, Oregon.  He set quite a high bar for me, so everything else is pretty over powering or too insipid.  

This is the description of the wine from the website:

A tight, minerally wine with classic Hamilton Russell Vineyards length and complexity. Unusually prominent pear and lime fruit aromas and flavours are brought beautifully into focus by a tight line of bright natural acid and a long, dry minerality. An elegant, yet textured and intense wine with a strong personality of both place and vintage.

The only thing I agree with in their description is that this wine was truly tight.  So tight everything puckered, and I mean, everything.  My cousin agreed with me and I should have probably taken a second sip, but I was still dealing with the pucker issue. The cost of the Chardonnay at the current exchange rate is $38.25. 

Next up was the Pinot Noir.  We were excited to try South Africa's best.  The wine hostess poured the wine and left us to our own devices. 



Hamilton Russell 2010 Pinot Noir

The tasting notes on their website are as follows:

Our low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of under 30 hl/ha and our philosophy of expressing our terroir in our wines – give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of our Pinot noir. Our Pinot noir is not overtly fruity, soft and “sweet” and it generally shows hints of that alluring savoury “primal” character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume.

The 'primal' character is the only thing I agree with.  I think I tasted the same funk when some one served me elk and told me they made the best!  This was a huge disappointment.  I have tasted better Pinot Noir's at Trader Joes.


Mango looking stones at the end of the vines.

As we left the winery we wondered if we had made the wrong decision in driving out all this way for what turned out to be incredibly disappointing wine.  I am sure that there are people out there that will disagree with me, but I think I do know the difference between a great Pinot Noir and an inferior one. 

We drove out the driveway and turned right.  Our day was about to get better.

It doesn't take much to make me happy.

I took this picture.

Yesterday we went to Left Coast Wine Estate for dessert and I was so excited to learn that they are now offering MAGNUM, yes I said MAGNUM Pinot Noir.  First bottle is $45.00 and then you bring your bottle back and they refill it for $30.00.  Yes I know they do this with beer growlers, but have never seen it done with wine. 

I am so happy I can't see straight, or maybe it is the wine.  Anyway, how perfect is this because now when you ask me how much wine have I had, I can truthfully say, one bottle. 

Fast Five Friday

Thanks to Tim at Life of Riles for this great idea.  Click on the link and read what it is all about then come back and read my Fast Five.

So here are my Favorite Five wines... surprised?  You shouldn't be.

 

The Chocolate Block ~ Boekenhoutskloof, South Africa.  Only a few barrels are made a year so if you see it on your liquor store shelf buy it because it might not be there the next day.  

Fast becoming a cult wine.

Chameleon ~ Jordan Winery, South Africa.  Called Chameleon for a reason, the taste is totally different from what you smell (the bouquet).  It will blow your mind, but it is hard to find in the States It is sold under the label Jardin.

 

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, France ~ okay I know not 'technically' a wine, but in my top five and this is my list so...

Pinot Noir, Johan Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Oregon.  The first winery we take guests to.

 

                      Pierre Jourdan, Clos Cabriere, South Africa ~ sparkling wine and nummy any time!

So there you have it, now what are yours?