Grand Wines for a Grand Hotel
Posted by ymartiny | Filed under White Stick Sips
Harry Reginald was the master-mind behind the concept of creating our own exclusive blind tasting faction away from the rules set out by the Lords of Wine. We started tasting our own wines (by variety, region, blend, etc.) blindly at Chenin Wine Bar for a few months but decided to branch out and use this premise to rate and review other wine serving establishments’ wine lists, for fun for some, education for others and just plain showing off their talented senses for a select few (nothing wrong with this as I aspire to be one of them … someday).
We decided to set the bar high and selected the Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays to be the kick-off venue for the official launch of the White Stick Sips ‘Road Show’. A lot of organization went into impressing the Sticks and we were offered the Westin Executive Club on the 19th floor of the Hotel. This venue has to be by far the best in terms of city and mountain views. This marriage between the Germans and Americans (Arabella & Starwood being the holding companies) resulted in one of the most recognised landmarks in Cape Town being born and one all its citizens can be proud of.
We all met in the lounge area overlooking the CBD, shadowed by Table Mountain and were offered Moët et Chandon – already impressed we couldn’t wait for what the rest of the evening had to offer … Unfortunately, I picked up some viral infection that morning and my day was turning out to be … well, crap! Nevertheless, I could not miss this one.
Our table was neatly set out and the glasses out of this world, made for giants it seemed, four of them couldn’t fit on our numbered tasting place-sheets. Sliced, freshly baked French loaf was placed on the tables and the first flight was served as if part of a well orcastrated symphony. I almost broke out in song like Sleeping Beauty on the morning she was kissed by Prince Charming, it was so magical.
Herewith my scores based on texture and tannins alone as all other senses failed:
Whites
15/20 – Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc ’08
16/20 – Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay ’08
14/20 – Hamilton Russell Chardonnay ’08
17/20 – Kumkani VVS Viognier/Verdehlo/Sauvignon Blanc ’05
Reds:
16/20 – Kanonkop Paul Sauer ’05
15/20 – Veenwouden Merlot ’05
17/20 – Thelema The Mint Cabertnet Sauvignon ’05
18/20 – Radford Dale Shiraz ’04
Even though these ratings are based on … well, nothing but how it decided to enter my orifice and trickle down my pharynx and larynx (I love Grey’s), you can get a more exact account of these absolutely beautiful wines by checking out the rest of the panel’s reviews on WineTimes. You’ll also get some of the reactions on the Kumkani VVS which was the controversial star (like Lady Gaga, urgh) of the evening.
The wines are neatly listed according to variety and then price – it is a bible with individual descriptions that offers you everything, including anything you would want to know about any of the wines on offer; origin, vintage, variety, tasting and paring notes included. The average wine consumer will adore this and I can also see why some establishments would want to charge a listing fee. It’s like cross-marketing, bartering if you like. We give you a space on the most sought after wine list in Cape Town and we give you exposure not only to the local but also the international wine market through truly selling everything about the your wine.
As you would expect from any five-star hotel, the prices are set above the average mark-up, but not exorbitant to the extent that your wallet feels publically violated. I would pay the extra if you consider the setting and the impeccable service that accompanies the wine.
I have to add that Eben Nel, the Food & Beverage Director, was to date (after about six other tastings) a host of a different caliber. He not only served us with his best wines, gave us the most awesome variety of canapés to pair with the wines at our discretion, but voided the final bill in its entirety and gave us parking free-of-charge on top of it all. What is there not to dig about this man?! Oh, and some of us scored some branded pens in the process – you know who you are!
On a final note, you have to be from Cape Town (or just simple logic) to appreciate this one, a tourist came up to me facing the façade of ‘that mountain’ and asked me “which one is the Table one”, pointing at Lions Head. I decided to have some malicious fun and indicated that he had it wrong by shaking my head like a teacher in primary school. He changed the direction of his phalanges and pointed towards Devil’s Peak. After a second shake of the head, only one obvious option was left: The one that actually looks like a Table, and the biggest one in the middle which was where he found his finger currently pointing!! I rewarded him by ‘pointing’ out where the V&A Waterfront was and where he could find the Tourist Information Centre.
Overall, I absolutely fell in love with this Hotel (all over again) in all its glory with the intimidating dark glass pretense balanced with warm fittings and even more affectionate staff within. If I could, I would come back to this place every single day…
Ich liebte dieses Glas Spektakel!
2 Responses to “Grand Wines for a Grand Hotel”
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Shireen Grimmer Says:
April 9th, 2010 at 08:09Most sublime review Martin, almost like a fairy tale
I actually read it twice, found I was drawn to the way you descibed your experience, and the obvious magnificent hotel! very unique and refreshing…. loved it!Special note to the breathtaking pictures added, a true compliment to the richly descriptive review. I truly look forward to the next one! Awesome reading!
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ymartiny Says:
April 9th, 2010 at 23:19Always looking at cultivating creative concepts. Thanx Shireen! If you approve, then I do. Cheers!
