But, it was incredibly nerve racking to get into this event. I had to pull out my I.D. multiple times before getting into the expo. Hello! Do you not see the huge badge on my chest? By the end of the gauntlet I thought I might have had to go through a cavity search. Man, I’d better be getting on an airplane by the end of this ordeal. It literally felt like I was going through the airport getting raped of my freedom. To the powers that be, please take note, make the process more pleasant and they will come. I’m just sayin’.
But, wait… what’s that glimmering way off in the distance? It looks like… yes… I think it is… the sunlight bouncing off a sea of stemware! It’s so beautiful… this literally was the light at the end of the tunnel. So I pick up my pace and suddenly… Screeeeeech… I was stopped in my tracks by a voice, “Sir, I need to scan your badge before you enter.”… Beep… “Ok, you can go in”… Grrr…
Geez! I need a drink!!
I’m so glad there was a glass waiting for me on the other side and not a gangway.
Finally… I get to do what I came here to do. But, before I dive in I always like to take lap around the room to get the lay of the land. After my lap I decided to start with the California region and what a great start it was. I tasted some really phenomenal wines from Kenneth Volk Vineyards of Central California, specifically the AVA’s of Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. And what a great start… But, I have to keep moving…
After spending the next 3 hours tasting as much as my palate can possibly handle (I got to most but, not everyone… sorry). The wine that stood out for me the most (aside from the ones from KVV) is a nice Pinotage from South Africa. Pinotage, the grape indigenous to South Africa – which is a cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It used to be called “Hermitage” to the locals – hence the “-age” in Pinotage.
So this one that took the spotlight for my day is the Diemersfontein Pinotage 2010 from Wellington, South Africa. It’s also their 10th Anniversary bottling and what a great wine for their milestone.
The notes: This Pinotage was incredible on the nose. Some deep mocha and coffee on the approach then revealing the wonderful aroma of dark plums, a hint of vanilla and some banana riding the edge. This is one complex wine with coffee flavors right up front but, it’s not overbearing. The coffee quickly subsides and reveals the blackcurrant and chocolate covered plums. Makes me want to go to a fondue house and order some black plums and a nice big vat of molten chocolate. It doesn’t end there! It then whisks you away to a minty fresh finish that leaves an incredible refreshing mouthfeel. Wonderfully balanced overall with smoke and round soft tannins for a velvety mouth sensation.
It hovers just under $20 a bottle. Not quite an everyday price but, very good to impress your peeps!
by Wence CSW
Exrtracted from the Some Damn Good Wine blog
