risotto (pumpkin, duck, and sage butter).whole Ontario Burrata (virgin canola oil, Baco Noir balsamic, seasonal garnish, toast).bread (red fife, sourdough, potato Focaccia) and butter.We went back to Maple Leaf Tavern for the first time since we went for my birthday last year and, frankly, we killed it. It was a much more low-key day, but had a seriously delicious ending.
Yesterday was Lindsay’s birthday, the first time in a couple of years we haven’t spent it in Europe. side: jerk broccoli (w/ refried beans, puffed rice, chillies).main: grilled ribeye (14oz cold smoked all-natural Alberta beef, jus gras, fried onions, stewed tomato, spanish olive oil).starter: tuna tartare (albacore tuna, avocado, plantain, ancho aioli, sesame, tajin toasted nori).cocktail: Fall Fashioned (pecan-infused bourbon blend, corn syrup, orange twist, 5 spice bitter).The food & drink was pretty solid though: The upstairs had a Shining theme the downstairs was like eating in a 1970s basement rumpus room.
Later that day, after another work event back in Calgary, I had dinner at The Wednesday Room. This was the view from the Rimrock, where the event was held: It was my first time out to the mountains in a lot of years, and the mountains made me feel as calm and peaceful as ever, even if I was only there for a couple of hours. I flew in late Wednesday night, crashed at the Calgary airport Marriott, then early Thursday morning drove out to Banff to speak at a partner’s event. American consumers who purchase the wines will then need to make arrangements for shipping.Today I got back from a quick 36-hour work trip to Calgary, with a little side trip to Banff. Interested bidders can both register (by Sept. This year's auction is scheduled for Oct. Evoking white Bordeaux, winemaker Duncan Savage's Cape Point Vineyards Auction Reserve Cape Winemakers Guild Cape Point 2013 (91, $NA) is a 50/50 blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc that delivers delightful white ginger, white peach and salted butter notes.
Among blends, the Simonsig Roussanne-Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch The Red Ox Cape Winemakers Guild 2013 (93, $NA) is reminiscent of a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, showing Cavaillon melon, white peach and bitter orange notes. The Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 1947 Cape Winemakers Guild 2013 (92, $NA) shows off the flattering side of the grape, with lush brioche and heather notes. Whites are also interesting, as the group features South Africa's best varietal-Chenin Blanc-along with more prominent international varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and some interesting blends. Badenhorst Family Cinsault Swartland Kalmoesfontein Ramnasgras Cape Winemakers Guild 2012 (92, $NA). Other Rhône varietals are in the mix too, including the higher-toned, pepper- and mineral-styled A.A. Other highlights from the Cab blends include the densely packed Kanonkop Paul Sauer Cape Winemakers Guild Simonsberg 2011 (94, $NA) and Rust en Vrede Estate Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2011 (94, $NA).įor Rhône lovers, Syrah has become a worthy rival to Cabernet on the Cape, as evidenced by the impressive Boschkloof Syrah Stellenbosch Cape Winemakers Guild 2012 (93, $NA) and the Cederberg Shiraz Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Cape Winemakers Guild 2012 (92, $NA) which has been a standout for several vintages running now. A few hail from the excellent 2012 vintage, including the alluring Ernie Els Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2012 (94 points, $NA), the loamy, minty de Trafford Perspective Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2012 (93, $NA) and the chunky, grip-filled Louis Nel Gonzo Cape Winemakers Guild Stellenbosch 2012 (93, $NA). In this year's lineup, I was particularly enthused by some of the Cabernet Sauvignon and blends. The auction benefits the winemakers themselves, with a portion of the proceeds going to fund the guild protége program, which helps disadvantaged youths get into the wine industry. For the auction, they bottle selected lots-one-offs, new single-vineyard bottlings, experimental blends and the like-that are not commercially released. This year's lot, 47 wines in total, provided some compelling old school-styled Cabernets, a wide range of Rhône varietals and an eclectic mix of deliciously pure whites.įor background on these auction wines and the Cape Winemakers Guild, you can refer to my report on last year's wines here, as well as previous reports, as I've tasted the wines every year since the 2007 auction.Įssentially a club that polices itself, the Cape Winemakers Guild is made up of a hefty chunk of South Africa's best winemakers. It's always interesting when I sit down to taste through the annual release of Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines.
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