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Pendock Uncorked

South Africa's leading independent drinks commentator…
Posted: February 2nd, 2011 | By Neil Pendock


How much? R120;
Where? Constantia Uitsig Restaurant (0)21 794 4480;
Why? Chardonnay struggles in Constantia. The un-irrigated vines at Uitsig are 20 years old and riddled with virus but 2009 was “a special vintage” for winemaker André Rousseau and this creamy, nutty, charmer is proof positive.

André Rousseau

André Rousseau

50% of the wine is fermented cool for those New World pear and apple flavours while the balance if fermented warm for those Old World nuts. Made oxidatively (“the juice comes in brown” says André) to minimize bitter phenols it is kept on the lees to give a creamy, almost woody, mouth feel. An exceptional wine.

Rating? *****

*****: View from the top of Mount Everest
****: View from top of Eifel Tower
***: View from top of Machu Picchu
**: View from London Eye
*: View from Cape Town Eye

 
 


Comments

 

Johan

February 2, 2011 at 9:06 am

I’ve been drinking their chardonnays for some time, Neil- but chuck me farly, R120 for an unwooded local is a tad too much…

 

Neil Pendock

February 2, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Johan

That is a price in a restaurant.

 

Kathy

February 7, 2011 at 11:00 am

Best unwooded this side of the equator!



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