Wildebeeste ????

After Kudu, another gamey experience last night in Aubergine Restaurant : Gnou or Wildebeeste, you know the animal that is lion's favorite !
And I must say it is a very good meet, strong character but tender that deserve the best South african Shiraz you can get in hand !!!
But if it seems that I'm just eating here, it's not really true, wine tasting are also part of my daily duty !
Yesterday was the first day of the Hermanus wine Festival held in the Wine Village few kilometers before entering the city.
A tiner yet prettiest than the last week one in Stellenbosch. Maybe to tour the stands with Peter Finlayson helps, but the area of Walker Bay as definitively a very high potential for fresh, balanced and perfumed wines.
Of course, sauvignon has the Lion's share, and some very good examples are produced by Lomond Winery (Sugarbush 2007 and its amazing asparagus aromas!!!) and the quite newly established Ataraxia that as already no more to prove.
To get in touch with balanced chardonnay, apart from Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson (that will be discussed in another post)you need to go as far as Greyton where Samantha O'Keefe is producing stunning white wine.
On the red wine side apart the overwhelming Cab Sauv, Syrah as a promising spot here. Either in blend with Mourvedre (Newton Johnson 2006) or alone such as the rhone juicy style of Luddite 2005 that comparing to previous vintages starts to find a beautifull finesse and elegance.
So the Hermanus area is really booming, proof is the R320 that go along HR and BF and then go on a mud path few km later incapable so far to follow the rise of new wineries.

Cheers.

Benjamin