Glen Carlou tasting room review
GLEN CARLOU - it's all in the detail
A good tasting room experience depends on a keen awareness of the expectations of clientele - as well as little add-ons like a complimentary carpaccio snack to complement the Cabernet on offer...
Expect this when visiting Glen Carlou, off the Simondium Road, neigbouring Niel Joubert en route to big-name Rupert and Rothschild.
A paved road takes you to the thatched tasting building, where there are more than a few parking spaces. Sliding doors open to the elegant interior of the tasting room-cum-restaurant.
It is spacious. Dining tables and a lounge area are seperated with a ground glass panel that gives a view of the cellar underneath. A fireplace alludes to this area being a cosy option for winter and unlike many other tasting rooms, attendants will serve you when seated here and not at the tasting counter.
Not that it is unpleasant to conduct your tasting at the counter. Comfy seats, sunken spittoons and readily available staff makes this an enjoyable option. And since the design is open-plan nothing interrupts the view. Clearly the memo from Glen Carlou owner and millionaire businessman Donald Hess on elegant interior spaces has been followed closely. My group and I are immediately tended to by newbie Theunis who, by virtue of his looks alone, complements the tasting room interior. This is his third Saturday serving patrons he informs honestly, but he has no problem running around to find the answers to my queries - which he does, quite often.
This said, his enthusiasm is impressive, and what he lacks in knowledge he makes up for by being prompt (yet not overly eager) with his pourings and professional in his approach. The wines are equally impressive with most of them available for tastings (at R25 per person).
The flagships, Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2007 and Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 are not, but at R275 and R375 per bottle respectively there are better value to be found on the menu anyhow - i.e. the Tortoise Hill White 2008, a predominantly Viognier and Sauvignon blend is excellent al-fresco value at R39 a bottle.
This is the cheapest to be found on the menu however with affordability (but not quality) quickly decreasing. Allow for time to linger since there is also an unobtrusive art gallery with a spiral thoroughfare to the glass-panelled area downstairs that gives a view of the cellar - and buying a glass of the just-tasted wine is perfect to sip outside on the balcony overlooking the fynbos garden.
Tel 021 875 5528, www.glencarlou.co.za.
OPEN: Mon - Fri 08:30 to 17:00,
Sat and Sun 10:00 - 15:00
SERVICE: 7/10 - room for individual
improvement but the group effort is
outstanding.
AMBIENCE: 9/10 - elegant incorporation
of surroundings and produce.
VALUE: 8/10 - mostly pricey wines
with aging potential.
QUALITY: 9/10 - nothing on the list
doesn't impress.
