OPEN SPACE
|
LAYING DOWN 2005S FOR 21 YEARS From Johan Nel in Stellenbosch: Here's a challenge. I very recently had the ecstatic privilege of witnessing my first child (a daughter) being born. How about suggestions for a worthy coming of-age case of wine for her 21st birthday? Which SA wines will have the grit, character and decency to still be in their prime 21 years from now, with minimal corkleak, corked-taste or simply loss of all structure and decency? My gut-feel is to invest in a case of Kanonkop... Let me know.
|
|
Response from Tim James: Well, congratulations first. Then some evasive hedging of bets.... Fortunately you've got a few years to make up your mind about what 2005 reds to buy for this important purpose. Most of the serious ones will be released somewhere around 2007. And we'll have had time to better assess what looks like a slightly uneven vintage, but probably an above average one for most important red wine producers – certainly in the Stellenbosch area. My own gut feel would be the same as yours about Kanonkop Paul Sauer, though there are others with good track records for ageing (Meerlust, Welgemeend amongst them); with the new stars there is no real track record of course, so we'll have to make some educated guesses about them. And of course wines are generally being made nowadays to drink well in their youth, not necessarily two decades down the line - although the back labels and the winemakers insist that they will do both. As for the Kanonkop: Johan Krige tells me that they're pretty pleased with the 2005 harvest, and he's confident it will be a wine for laying down successfully. Shall we talk again on the subject in a few years?
(Meanwhile, if anyone else has useful suggestions....) You've also
got a bit of time in hand to start giving your daughter the opportunity
to learn to love good wine. I daresay warm milk is the tipple of the
moment. |
|
COMMENT From Chris WIlliams, Meerlust winemaker From Clive Sindelman: |
