For our October event, we welcomed back our old friend Preet Sahota of Edgmond Wines who presented a new selection of wines he has discovered in his travels around South Africa.

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Preet has been to us for the last two years and once again regaled us with entertaining anecdotes from the wine world, and interesting and unusual wines.

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We were able to take advantage of a generous discount on his usual prices, which are noted in the descriptions of the wines we tasted.

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Sparkling

1. Truida MCC 2022 Swaatland  Normal Price £21.99  Special £9.99
Made in the traditionalvintage "champagne" method this is a single vineyard of 45 year old vines producing a vintage sparkling wine. The grapes ae 100% Chenin Blanc. The wine has a  distict brioshe nose, and a lovely mousse with a good balance of fruit and acidity and a medium finish.

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White

2 Cloudskraal Sauvignon Blanc 2024     Normal proce £21.99   Special £12.99
From a brand new appellation, a single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc of 22 year old vines
This wine did not match the expectation of a Sauvignon Blanc (e.g. Loire or New Zealand), with a fresh and fruitly nose, but a very rich, almost oily mouth feel with balanced fruit and acidity

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3. Schenkfontein Grenache Blanc 2025   Normal Price £16.99  Special £7.99
From a 17 year old single vineyard in the Swartland region.
A simple, straightforward wine, with a good balance of fruit and acidity - this is felt to be a good aperitif or a "fridge door" wine.

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4. Blake Family Wines "Tourmaline" 2023        Normal Price  £27.99  Special £14.99
A barrel fermented blend of 66% Chenin Blanc, 17% Viognier, and 17% Chardonnay. Competition for Chablis or white Burgundy?
Medium green/yellow, fresh fruit on the nose, very complex series of fruit flavours - much more suited to a meal rather than drinking on its own.

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Red

5. Blake Family Wines Malbec 2024   Normal price £17.99  Special £9.99
Unusual single vineyard Malbec (most uncommon in South Africa), the last from this vineyard as the owners will be using this in blends in the future.
A boutique wine from a single vineyard. Bright red in colour, slightly green on the nose but with good fruit and light tannins (would probably keep for 2-3 years if wished).

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6. Villa Esposto Pinotage 2023       Normal Price £24.99  Special £14.99
The pinotage grape is a South African speciality, and the variety is now 100 years old. The wine is matured for 8 months in old French oak.
A well made wine, with a good fruit/acid/tannin balance. Long finish.

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7. Blake Family Wines "Amethyst" 2021    Normal Price £27.99    Special £16.99
From the outstanding 2021 vintage we have a Cape red blend of Pinotage, SHiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon - the winery's flagship.
Deep red in colour, red fruits and spices on the nose. The palate shows the red fruits and spices with muted tannins - an excellent wine.

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Desert

8. Winkelshoek Cape Vintage 2022  Normal Price £24.99   Special £12.99
Made in the traditional vintage port method, but from a single vineyard of 45 year old Pinotage vines giving a 17.5% alcohol content. 
This is a tawny port look (and taste) alike. Very sweet berry fruit and chocolate nose and flavour. Very like a port.

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Thanks are also due to Nadia Kinslow for providing the buffet, ably assisted by Sue Rossell on the evening.