Weekend Wrap: Franschhoek Uncorked
September 1, 2008
The weather in the Cape over the weekend was bizarre and relentless to say the least - and just terrible luck for this years Franschhoek Uncorked.
I’m willing to bet that visitors to the valley would have been ten fold had it been sunny - as an indication, I invited about 20 people to go and only two of us ended up making the trip.
For those that braved the gale force winds and torrential rain, it was more than worth it and perhaps a blessing in disguise that there were fewer people.
Here’s a wrap up of the farms I popped into:
The farm never fails to make you feel very much a part of the celebration - of life, culture, wine and good times. Highlights included the new Solms Delta Africana 2006 and the new Solms Astor range of wines.
Very much a ‘first growth’ South African wine experience and one wouldn’t expect anything less from the Rupert dynasty. From vintage cars to stallions; heated floors to original Pierneef’s worth millions - the whole experience is classy and effective. The wines are fantastic too - Terra del Capo Arne is a surprising star and the L’Ormarins Optima is sheer elegence in a bottle.
Great setting in the corner of the valley and a very popular haunt on the day - with Reubens serving food nog al. I was really looking forward to tasting the new release of the ever popular Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block - but the wine was bitterly disappointing. I’m not sure whats gone wrong here but it’s a shadow of it’s former self and at R150 a bottle a complete rip off.
Topiary Wines
Crap Wine. Crap label. No Website.
Fantastic vibe and fantastic wine to boot. This is what wine festivals are all about - discovering great boutique wine served by great people. They even showed the rugby on a big screen in their cellar. Highlights from their range include the Lynx SMV and Lynx Xanache.
A great day out and thanks to Belle for braving the mother of all storms in search of vino satisfaction.
Posted in 
September 1st, 2008 at 4:09 pm
You must have enjoyed the rugby with those wines Shawza.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
damn right.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I think it’s amazing that you made the trip out to Franschhoek - the weather was awful. But I do agree with you, sometimes that’s not the worst thing (it’s definitely the most effective method of crowd control).
September 4th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Thanks nikki - was well worth the trip. I see Moreson now have a blog - will keep an eye on it!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Thanks Cru Master - we’ve just started so any feedback/comments/general interest is awesome.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:14 am
Thanks for the great review, Cru Master. Glad you enjoyed your time at Lynx Wines. As thanks I’d like to offer your readers cases of Lynx Xanache and Lynx SMV at ‘buy 11 get 1 free’, including delivery in Cape Town.
Hope to see you again!
Dieter (winemaker@lynxwines.co.za)
September 17th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Thats brilliant thanks Dieter - i’ll publish that offer in a post if you don’t mind?
Will most def pop into the farm again sometime soon!
September 17th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Yes, please feel to post the offer, and I look forward to seeing you on the farm!