Mount Nelson’s Battle of the Bubblies
Posted by ymartiny | Filed under White Stick Sips
Winston Churchill once said that the Mount Nelson was a ‘most excellent and well appointed establishment that may be thoroughly appreciated after a sea voyage’ or after work on a chilly Tuesday afternoon – this is where we found ourselves for another instalment of White Stick Sips.
What truly hits you in the guts and leaves you breathless other than the pink colonial façade, is the staff that seems to be on some exotic contraband. From the moment you enter until the time you leave you are greeted and ‘assisted’ … by everyone! Benson (Bennie) was our host for the evening and was as polite, professional and responsive as all the other cheerful cronies at the Nellie where service is a culture.
The celeb for the evening was Adam Mason, a gracious gentleman and enthusiastic winemaker from Klein Constantia, who entertained and enthralled us with his knowledge and at the end of the tasting with his very own red-blend 2006 vintage, Kwezi, to the delight of all the “Sticklers”.
Our tasting was on the opulent veranda section of the Planet Champagne & Cocktail Bar where the stars light the way in a modestly decorated room filled with modern furnishings and nothing over-the-top. The inside portion with the mega funky bar stools (some foreign president’s profile picture features), leather lounges and killer marble fireplace is what makes this place geriatric-chic and stunning at the same time.
I struggle to enjoy Champagne / Sparkling Wine / MCC (Bubblies) as it’s difficult for me to determine the refined characteristics in palate and nose that set them apart. The bubble survival rate (consistency), size and quantity are what, in my opinion, make a good glass of bubbly and that is what these scores are mostly based upon. In essence, if I manage to get the bubbles down my throat while still being able to find some flavour, instead of up my nose, I like it. Oh, and as with wine, I prefer the dry, “brut” styles to the sweeter, “doux” varieties (googledit). It seemed as if it was the start of the First World War all over again with the corks going and patrons dodging the ‘bullets’. The first bubbly was poured and this is how it and the rest of the stars ‘ranked’(scores out of 20):
Second Lieutenant – Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel 2007 @ R175 (13): Bubbles were lazy like a Sunday afternoon on Clifton III. But unlike the tanned bodies one would find there, nothing attracted me to this one. Not even with the delectable pastries which were pared with it.
Lieutenant – Villiera Tradition NV @ R165 (13): The bubbles were trying to escape the glass like the Boers trying to escape British occupation, franticly. I tried really hard to get something to pull through on the nose and palate but struggled and eventually gave up. Bravo to Madame de Wyn for spotting this one on first sip nogal (and managing to successfully camouflaging with the exterior of the building in your pink jersey– I’ll never take you to Bingo night by the way).
Captain – Steenberg Brut 1682 Chardonnay 2008 @ R235 (13.5): I’m reading my notes now and I must say I was quite aggressive and profusely apologise for what is about to follow. This was made in a factory line, mass produced with no attention to detail. What sets it apart from the first two was that it had a bit more bouquet on the nose.
Major – Graham Beck NV @ R195 (13.5): Well bubbles, distinguished nose and firm but singular follow through – there was something missing though – like watching a military procession and there is just one mother-farmer who is one step off from the rest.
Lieutenant-Colonel - Genevieve Brut 2008 @ R365 (15): Even though this one did not score as high as it would have if this wasn’t a blind tasting (I love the name and label) it now officially scores on my list of favourite sparklies. Guerrilla warfare in a glass with aggressive bubbles with a soft side: a lot more fruity than the first two (Môreson Cuvee Cape NV & Teddy Hall Blanc de Blanc 2008). Would’ve liked it to be softer on the toungular missile but would have it on any day and with anyone.
Chief Commandant - Boschendal Grand Cuvee 2006 @ R205 (15): Elegant bubbles and favourable flavours are back like peace after war. Easy to palate and wonderful, refreshing follow through.
Colonel - Teddy Hall Blanc de Blanc 2008 @ R430 (15.5): It is teatime on the battle field and out comes the koeksisters – which would have been lovely with this bubbler. Not complicated but refined and reliable characteristics.
Brigadier – Môreson Cuvee Cape NV @ R220 (16): The first one we tasted and still my favourite. From the energetic ADD bubbles which swirls and dances from inside the glass, to the first sip and all the way till the very last drop. Delish!
What added to an already superb evening was when then the deep-fried delights and miniature hors d’ourves, which paired marvelously with the fruity bubbles by the way, came out and bumped the evening up from superb to exceptional … that was until the 4th bubbly was served and the pastry platters came out – I transcended to fabulousness. A pity we finished so late because I would have loved to stay on for an entrée at Cape Colony Restaurant if these munchies were anything to go by.
The wine-list has the standard layout and being a Champagne Bar, please do not expect to see a vast arrangement of red and white wines but rather French Champagne (the Genuine Bubble), which annexes the majority of the list, and the best in South African Sparkling Wines and Methode Cap Classique’s. Also expect to see the usual hotel markup across the board. As an alternative, there are loads of cocktails to choose from should you not feel up for a marvelous bubbly or one of the ± twelve featured wines.
From Nelson Mandela’s Long Road to Freedom Speech (who has nothing to do with this Hotel): “I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come.” I can see why so many people would revel in this quote on the stoep at the Nellie.
2 Responses to “Mount Nelson’s Battle of the Bubblies”
-
Markus Cao Says:
April 22nd, 2010 at 17:56Being a Newbie, I am always researching online for articles that may support me. Thank you
-
Melissa Genevieve Nelsen Says:
April 23rd, 2010 at 08:07HI, glad you got to try my bubbly (Genevieve) and enjoyed it. Cheers to a great blog.
Regards
Melissa Genevieve Nelsen
