Bouchard Finlayson tasting room review
By Jeanri-Tine van Zyl.
This is Hamilton Russell’s neighbour and has its entrance only a couple of hundred metres from its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rival. We follow the paved road and turn right just before the thatched, modern Mediterranean manor house.
A pebbled path leads to the tasting room. We have been warned that Bouchard Finlayson is in the process of renovating this section so are slightly worried that hammering might impose on our tasting. Not so, though. On entry we turn left past a big table where tasters are already going through the motions with Wendy. We join the informal gathering and consider our tasting options.
All the current vintages are on offer, except for the white flagship Missionvale Chardonnay 2007 that is “out of stock” and hence not available for tasting. Neither is the red flagship and best in class at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2008, the Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2006, due to very limited amounts. According to the tasting “menu”, the Tête de Cuvée will be limited to two bottles per customer. One would think that at R535 a bottle the limiting is actually already done.
There are other wines on offer, though. The unusual red blend Hannibal 2005 (R145) is a must, and so is the Pinot Noir Galpin Peak 2007 (R187). We start with the Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (R68) while a well-informed and attentive Wendy talks wine. Branded tasting glasses are used and after every round Wendy ensures that the bottles are made air-tight with a branded Bouchard Finlayson wine saver – undoubtedly also a clever marketing ploy, this being just one item among plenty of Bouchard Finlayson merchandise for sale, though discretely advertised on the laminated tasting menus.
I prod Wendy for the Missionvale again, but no luck. Then a change in tactic (expressing the will to purchase some Missionvale) has Wendy quickly arranging for a chilled bottle to arrive at the table. I buy two bottles at R110 each.
I try the same tactic with the Tête de Cuvée, but after a detailed explanation of the barrel maturation and another almost apologetic mention of the limited amount of bottles produced, I am left with a fi rm but friendly no. I am advised to buy some before Platter’s rates it, though…
The current tasting room is spacious and relaxing, but a quick look at the section undergoing a facelift has me excited. It has a European, old-cellar feel to it and will be 100% wheelchair accessible, as is the existing tasting room. If Wendy gets her way, the new room will be up and running by the time you read this, to accommodate the seasonal crowds.
OPEN: Mon-Fri 09:30-17h00,
Sat 09h30-12h30
SERVICE: 9/10 - knowledgeable,
fun, attentive and sincere.
AMBIENCE: 8/10 - homely feel with
renovations showing great promise.
VALUE: 8/10 - no tasting fee and a
range of excellent wine offered.
QUALITY: 9/10 - serious, beautiful
wines.
