Amazing Wines at maze
Posted by ymartiny | Filed under White Stick Sips
Finally!! It was the much anticipated wine-list from maze at the One & Only’s turn. Since the date was confirmed some of the Serious Shticks have been looking forward to get their toungues mincing around this list. And rightfully so as this restaurant, by reputation alone, aims to set itself apart from the best Cape Town has to offer when it comes to quality and service. After being opened for only one year, it has successfully done so.
maze is quite the culinary delight, and one would rightfully imagine so with a show kitchen where diners are encouraged to visually take part in the food preparation. On those dreary dinner ‘appointments’, the kitchen as well as so many other aspects of this functional and aesthetically pleasing restaurant, are good conversation starters.
With our expectations set extremely high, we met in the Vista Bar with its breathtaking view of Table Mountain. After everyone arrived and the necessary pictures were taken, we made our way through to the Wine Loft at maze: we took in our bar stools and collected our jaws from the floor at a “last supper” table set up where hobbits are definitely not welcome. It looks into and is towered by an enormous glass encased wine collection that overlooks the main restaurant which is absolutely breathtaking and would definitely make any wine aficionado bottle green.
Andre was our most professional host thus far and gracious as well. Andre was like the lead in Swan Lake by the way he was pouring and presenting those luscious wines (sorry Andre, I don’t mean to nibble away at your manliness – brilliant job man!). An interesting fact from our host: wines on the list are selected blindly by only the most senior members of staff, which includes Andre himself.
We came, we tasted and herewith I noted (out of a total of 20 pts):
1st (17) Silverthorn Genies Rosé Brut NV MCC @ R390
At first, I fell in love with the faint, blush, almost peachy colour of this Rosé Brut. My first thought was Pino Noir, but sparkly virgin that I am, doubted that it could be bubbled. The bubbles were clear and almost like Pop Rocks, faint nose and delicate and a comfortable palate. Nose and toungue did the Y-M-C-A so this one scored a fabulous 17. Another jewel from Robertson which I will add to my MCC crown.
2nd (14.5) Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2008 @ R250
Initially I thought it “nice” … “not my taste” on the second sniff when I got the weirdest feedback. Took a swirl and a sip and decided it to be a foreigner to my buddies. That’s probably why I scored this one a 14.5 – imagine my surprise when I discovered it to be a Sauvignon Blanc from Constantia Glen.
3rd (13.5) Raats Chenin Blanc 2008 @ R320
First sniff: someone lit a match but didn’t manage to burn down the farm. Second sniff: Fruits came popping through like the never-before-seen queens during Gay Pride. Hints of chardonnay perhaps … clearly not my evening and I decided to stop guessing. Didn’t like this one so much as it was mostly the nose that put me off.
4th (16.5) Rustenberg Chardonnay 2008 @ R370
Hit me with a buttered celery stick … I love the nose on this one even though I struggled initially. When I came back later though, it was surprisingly good and I decided to gooi in another point.
5th (13.5) Murati Pino Noir 2007 @ R330
Malva Pudding! Creamy apricot but not as inviting as the pudding. The nose was complicated and heavy with too much sophistication like a bear-queen (if that combination is possible) which stripped the palate like a solvent mixture designed to remove paint.
6th (15) De Trafford Merlot 2006 @ R440
This is a smooth wine. A winter disco queen in the making, if you like. Fruity strawberries hit you at first but very faint. But nothing wow and in your face which I like in my wines. Loved this one nonetheless!
7th (17) Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2005 @ R290
Candy apply & watermelon eatable underwear next to a smoky braai. This is a secret nighttime cultic congregation overseen by an orgiophant that I would attend, quite disappointing that three ladies would be involved though but I’m prepared to make the sacrifice. The palate was varied with different essences escaping with every sip. Made a note to have this at Harold’s the next time I stop over for an after-work un-wine-d.
8th (16) Vilafonté Series M 2005 @ R650
Woolies Chocolate Brownies and a hint of ocean fresh. The palate is what scored as I enjoyed it immensely regardless of the weird nose which didn’t carry through to the palate (should let it breath more perhaps?). Overall good, decent wine which was equally enjoyed by all.
My only disappointment is that this one kicked the Westin Grand off the first spot overall by 0.05. In my books the Westin is still a ‘top’ with a solid 16 compared to maze’s 15.62 who will remain a ‘bottom’ … (yes, Westin was done blindly and tasteless – this is personal!).
Hotels are replacing sommeliers with descriptive and informative wine-lists which was once again illustrated by the extensive list from maze. What made this the one unique though was the fact that they had different by-the-glass options and various vintages to choose from one estate cultivar. What stays standard though are the above average ‘Hotel’ markups – I would pay this any day though considering the impeccable service oneonly resort in Cape Town.
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