The Hedonistic Taster | № 22 | Suo Red Collection + Stellekaya

The Hedonistic Taster | № 22 | Suo Red Collection + Stellekaya | South Africa

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML

A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.

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“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of gorgeous, small-lot artisan pours in an intimate tasting format.

The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.

Santé!

Wines of South Africa produce some of the world’s most exciting Chenin Blanc, blends, and bubbles.

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Today’s Tasting:

Suo Red Collection №2 + Stellekaya Hercules | South Africa

If you’ve never tasted the wines of South Africa, you need to start – now!

Arguably one of the globe’s most overlooked wine regions, South Africa hammocks the continent of Africa between the Atlantic Ocean on the west, and the Indian Ocean on the East. As an emerging New World producer, South Africa enjoys some of the world’s oldest wine growing soils and most diverse ecosystems, including the UNESCO World Heritage Fynbos (meaning ‘fine-leaved’) ecoregion, home to one of the planet’s largest biomes.

These tasting notes compliment my forthcoming South African artisan winemaker interview series featured in Paris-based BKWine Magazine.

The wines here showcase the talent of Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa’s first black woman wine maker, and winner of South Africa’s Woman Wine Maker of the Year award in 2009. Biyela blazed her career at boutique winery Stellekaya, and has since moved on to form her own label, Aslina, named after her grandmother, a huge influence on her life. She’s also captured the attention of Mika Bulmash of Wines for the World, who tapped her for the Suo Red Collection – also featured here – in partnership with Napa Valley winemaker Helen Keplinger.

Brilliantly original, a fierce grace marks these wines, reflective of both the winemaker and her native land.

Suo means ‘to stitch’ and the Suo Red Collection is part of portfolio for ethical wine importer Wines for the World.

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Wine: Suo Red Collection № 2 (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec.)

Vintage: 2013

Alcohol: 14.5 %

Suggested Retail: $36

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Opaque blood-red robe.

Nose: Feral notes of tomato leaf, tobacco, leather.

Palate: Umami-infused black fruit, vegetal notes; medium body, acids, tannins and finish.

Suggested Pairings: A stalwart companion to steak or ribs with a side of frites.

Boutique winery Stellekaya hired winemaker Ntsiki Biyela in 2004, where she produced award winning wine until recently. While at Stellekaya, Ntsiki Biyela won the prestigious South African Woman Winemaker of the Year in 2009.

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Wine: Stellekaya Hercules (100% Sangiovese)

Vintage: 2011

Alcohol: 14%

Suggested Retail: $29.99

Specs

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Dusky garnet robe.

Nose: Dusty leather, red cherry, tomato, potpourri backnote.

Palate: Savory mélange of dark cherry, tobacco, cedar. Medium body, acids, tannins, finish.

Suggested Pairing: Traditional tomato-based dishes featuring mushrooms and richer proteins, such as ragout or lasagna.

Learn more about Wines of South Africa here.

Learn more about Wines for the World here.