Back to the future... two wines revisted. Rustenberg 'Peter Barlow' 1999 and Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 1994

Posted by Andrew Chapman, 10:39pm 15/07/2007. Leave a comment

Having posted once today already I didn't expect to be back online so soon. But having just returned from a fabulous family Sunday roast, complete with a raid on Dad's wine cellar, I just had to post again.

It was godmother's birthday yesterday, so we were invited to parents' house for Sunday dinner. Kids, being teens, were off with boyfriend/basketball respectively, which left Ali and I, plus Surf4Wine web-master Kelvin (who's staying with us now while we launch the new admin area of our web site later this week) to enjoy slow-roast local pork plus spanking fresh vegetables from Debbies's veg patch. All weaved together in Mum's own magic way to make for a scrumptious traditional roast.

Of the bottles Dad had hauled out to try, two in particular stood out - and on tonight's evidence I'm glad I pointed Dad in the direction of both when he tucked them away a year or two back.

		Both were wines that originated from Surf4Wine's list (well, one producer was on ACFW's original wine list long before there were such things as web sites!) But, before we got to the main event, we tried a couple of whites, both of which were at risk of being a bit 'long in the tooth' - but we managed to find happiness eventually with a bottle of Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc 2006 that I'd popped into their fridge a few weeks ago. Not too much OTT New World ripe fruit, pretty elegant and none of the horrible residual sugar tones that can sometimes accompany the less well-made Kiwi Sauvignons.
		Onto the reds...something I'd been looking forward to since I caught sight of them lined up on the kitchen counter when we arrived. First up was Rustenberg's 'Peter Barlow' 1999. We've long since moved on to the 2003 vintage, so this was a great chance to 'go back to the future', so to speak. At the time this vintage was released I remember Robert Parker waxing lyrical about the wine, and drinking it again tonight I can see why. Very Claret-like with its cedary, tobacco-edged fruit. But with a New World ripeness. This wine really demonstrated why many say that South Africa is where New World meets Old. Its lovely lingering finish worked superbly with the moist and tender roast pork. If you want to try this wine for yourself we are now onto the 2003 - click here to buy Rustenberg 'Peter Barlow' 2003
		Next up, an old favourite; a producer whose wines I first tasted when he was fairly new on the scene (at the same time I started ACFW): Alain Graillot. This was the 2004, and was simply stunning. A rich, roasted meat/deeply fruity nose with hints of black olives. Rich coffee, game and more olives on the palate. Ripe, rich, and very gorgeous. Perfect with food, but to be honest, I could drink this all day - with or without food! We don't currently list any of Alain Graillot's wines - but on tonight's evidence I must look up who the importer is. First thing tomorrow.

All in all, not a bad way to end the weekend. Roll on the next family birthday I say!

Posted by: Andrew Chapman

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