Yes, it’s true! ABC is now offering a wide selection of interesting new South African wines for your enjoyment. Anyone who has followed my recent blogs will be aware that the wines of South Africa have taken a huge leap forward in general quality and appeal. The media are catching on, and sales--both nationally and internationally--are beginning to climb.

In recent blogs I’ve mentioned the delicious Black Pearl Oro and the ever-tasty Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. Now I’d like to tip you off about three wonderful wines from Edgebaston: The Honey Pot, The Pepper Pot and The Berry Box from the Finlayson Family Vineyards in Stellenbosch.

The Finlayson family name has been well-known in South African wine circles since the late 1940s. We had the pleasure of meeting David Finlayson, owner and winemaker at Edgebaston, and tasting his wines a number of times during a recent trip. David grew up in the family wine business; he is a third generation winemaker but also spent time working at Peter Lehman in Australia, Te Mata in New Zealand and with Paul Pontallier at the renowned Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. Formerly managing director and cellar master at Glen Carlou, David purchased Edgebaston in 2004 and is now sole owner of the 22 hectare estate.

Of the wines themselves:

The Honey Pot 2012 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier. The Sauvignon and a portion of the Semillon were fermented in stainless steel while the remainder of the Semillon and the Viognier were fermented in aged white wine barrels and blended back into the wine. The palate is smooth and creamy with tropical fruit notes and has a long, fresh finish. A small amount of residual sugar makes the wine ideal for pairing with spicy foods.

The Berry Box 2010 is a blend of Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine undergoes open-top fermentation as well as closed fermentation and sees 20% new French oak. The result, to quote the Wine Advocate (which awarded it 89 points), “has light brambly red fruit on the nose with touches of wild hedgerow. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet vanilla-y cherry and strawberry on the entry and a light tensile finish. It offers good quality of the price.”

The Pepper Pot 2011 is a tasty blend of Syrah and Mourvedre with some old bush vine Cinsault, Garnacha, Tannat and Viognier (just the wet skins fermented with the Syrah). The Wine Advocate awarded it 90 points, saying, “It has a lovely ripe blackberry, white pepper and rosemary scented bouquet that is well defined and natural. The palate is well balanced with supple ripe red fruit that is silky smooth in texture. It has very good weight with a sweet, pastille-like finish that is fresh and alluring. Excellent.”

And to top it off, these are truly food-friendly wines. Stop in and try these and other wonderful examples of great wine from South Africa.

 

Bill Stobbs, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Wine Supervisor

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