Slanghoek tasting room review
Slanghoek Tasting Room Review
I was feeling duped. I knew Du Toitskloof as a producer, knew its wines, and had recommended its products to more than a few readers phoning WINE’s editorial offices. Meanwhile, the Slanghoek Cellar was unchartered territory. To reach it, you also take the Rawsonville turn-off from the N1, but you make a left before the town and continue over the N1 in the direction of Goudini Spa (you can’t miss this: it’s written on the mountain).
Breedekloof is proud of its secession from Worcester in 2002 and of its Wine of Origin status since 2006 but this area of the district (on the road to Wellington and Tulbagh via Bainskloof) is particularly quaint. Slanghoek is more than adequately signposted and the building and grounds are unthreatening for a co-op, or at least cleverly disguised with some lush foliage in the form of large palms and vast planted beds.
Clear directions to ample parking for customers as well as trading times leave you feeling that you’re meant to be here. It’s warm and pleasant within – a quiet, contemplative place; wheelchair friendly too. There is no charge for tasting and you get the customary branded ISO glass and water jug on arrival at the pouring counter.
Liné is my host and she has a confident way about her, quick to make suggestions and offer descriptors on products. Her English is impeccable – never a given on this side of the mountain. She also knows wood regimens and total acidity levels off pat. A pro.
For hosts, there are drawbacks to barlike pouring counters when the drinks are free, which probably explains why there is no seating within.
Some 20 pocket-pleasing wines to suit all tastes are on the price list, although it’s a shame that an outfit whose reputation for sweet wines precedes it should have so many items in this category unavailable. Slanghoek’s top-of-the-range product is the Noble Late Harvest. Selling for R95 per bottle, it is a serious attempt at the style and certainly worth tasting.
White wines come highly recommended, and those from the Private Selection range especially. The Slanghoek Private Selection Chenin Blanc 2007 won the Best Value award in WINE magazine’s Chenin Blanc Challenge this year, and it’s an absolute must-have at R17.50 ex-cellar. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay 2007 earned 3½ Stars in the May issue of the magazine.
Slanghoek groupies will appreciate branded apparel on sale from the venue, as well as rather elaborate branded stemware for purchase and picnic hampers.
There’s value for money here, plenty of it, but not very much of the product to go around.
OPEN: Mon-Fri 08h00-17h00,
Sat 10h00-13h00
SERVICE: 7/10 - needs little
improvement.
AMBIENCE: 5/10 - potential co-op frigidity
cleverly disguised.
VALUE: 8/10 - impeccable value
for money.
QUALITY: 6/10 - a consistent range
of very credible quaffers.
