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Tasting At Harolds Wine Bar

winetimes — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:54:59 +0000

Situated on Sea Point Main road, Harold’s Wine Bar is a welcome addiction to this buzzing street. Once the play-ground of prostitutes and drug dealers this transport vain into the heart of Sea Point has gone through a serious face lift over the last couple of years. Contributing to this makeover is Harold’s Wine Bar.

What I like about the place – its a wine bar. Here wine comes first and food second. It is after all called Harold’s Wine Bar. You can expect a very well priced wine list, with knowledgeable and prompt service. Obviously Harold is always just an arms length away it you need his expert advice. Wines are served in beautiful B glassware and don’t be surprise if a decanter pops up on your table to fine-tune your wine.

Overall Experience: 17/20

Tasting Scores

Drakensig Sauvignon Blanc ’09 – 14/20
River Grandeur Chardonnay ’09 – 15/20
Amani Poppy Blush – 16/20
Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc ’07 – 14/20
Altydgedacht Barbera ’07 – 13/20
JJ Merlot ’05 (Stellenrust) – 15.5/20
Gabrielskloof – 14.5/20
Eaglevlei Shiraz ’07 – 16/20

Overall Tasting Experience : 14.75

To view the panel’s overall scores hop over the http://whitesticksips.winetimes.co.za/

Tasting at the Westin Grand

winetimes — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:00:18 +0000

After much consideration and contemplation the White Sticks Sips decided to take our blind tasting endeavours on a road show. The first shop: The Westin Grand Hotel. The concept will be to taste and rate 8 of their wines blindly. To be honest we were prepared to sip our way through the lower range on the wine list, but Ebin, the food and beverage director had different plans.

Before I list my scores I need to mention the location. If you never been to the Westin’s Executive Club for dinner, please go. Its on the 19th floor with absolutely amazing views. The service is, well 5 star and the food match up to the overall wow factor. Although we do not officially score the overall experience I’m going to pitch my 5 cents here.

Overall Experience: 19/20
The service was great, the wines were amazing and the canapés were just a small insight as to what to expect from this establishment if you wish to stay over.

Tasting Scores

Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc ’08 - 15/20
Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay ’08 - 15/20
Hamilton Russell Chardonnay ’08 - 16/20
Kumkani VVS Viognier/Verdehlo/Sauvignon Blanc ’05 – 18/20
Kanonkop Paul Sauer ’05 - 15/20
Veenwouden Merlot ’05 - 16/20
Thelema The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon ’05 - 17/20
Radford Dale Shiraz ’04 - 18/20

Overall Tasting Experience – 16.25

To view the panel’s overall scores hop over the http://whitesticksips.winetimes.co.za/

WhiteStickSips Shiraz tasting at 406 HQ

winetimes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:44:02 +0000

Withdrawal symptoms set in after 3 weeks of sobriety and we had to get our WhiteStickSips fix. We add some spice to the evening by changing the venue and adding some food. Cover-charge was a bottle of Shiraz and this is how they went down:

1. Lynx Shiraz 2007 (14.5)

2. Roundstone Shiraz 2006 (14)

3. La Petite Ferme Shiraz 2007 (13.8)

4. Fairview La Capra 2008 (13.4)

5. Raka Biography Shiraz 2006 (11.9)

Apart from the Shiraz we started of the evening with a bottle of 2008 Grenache from Lynx. Everyone loved it and agreed that it’s THE red wine to consume this summer. Bela Osa Slivovitz Plum Brandy from Serbia was served as an aperitif and after we finished the Shiraz we indulge in a 2001 Cavilier from Annandale and a 2005 Malbec from Anura. Both wines were outstanding and contributed to a lot of fun and laughter.

WhiteStickSips – Methode Cap Classique

winetimes — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:09:09 +0000

So we celebrated life at this weeks White Stick Sips blind tasting. There is not a big variety at our local Midmar bottle store. Graham Beck, Pierre Jourdan, Simonsig, Krone, Villiera and Pongracz, that was we had to choose from. The rest of the bottles on the rack were French Champagne. Only 5 member pitch this week and we will blame this on the recession.

So let’s have a look at the scores:

1. Krone Cuvee Brut 2006 (16.1) @ R95 a bottle

2. Klein Constantia Brut 2006 (15.2) @ R125 a bottle

3. Beyerskloof Pinotage Rose 2008 (13.6) @ R64 a bottle

4. Pongracz Chardonnay/Pinot Noir (12.2) @ R79 a bottle

5. Pierre Jourdan Cuvee Belle Rose (11.6) @ R91 a bottle

Well done to the House of Krone!

WhiteStickSips – Cape Blends

winetimes — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:54:09 +0000

At last we were able to collect the score sheets after the tasting and crunch the numbers.

Freedom Hill 06 (score 15.79)
Beyerskloof Synergy 06 (score 15.5)
Giant Mistake 08 (score 14.86)
Middlevlei 07 (score 14.14)
Beyerskloof Synergy 06 (score 14.07)
JJ Picalot 06 (score 14.00)
Diemersfontein Pinotage 08 (score 13.05)
1659 Shiraz/Pinotage/Merlot (score 12.43) – R18.99 @ Midmar
Clos Malverne Devonet 07 (score 11.86)