Radford Dale imports

The recent Radford Dale Imports Annual Portfolio Tasting showcased 110 wines from over 45 producers – ideal for a broad snapshot of international trends, though a touch overwhelming if you’re aiming for deeper insight. To sharpen the focus, Tom Prior, Radford Dale’s sales and chief customer officer, assembled four blind flights of two wines each for me to assess, including a pair from the local portfolio to keep me on my toes.

Flight One
Vincent Careme Vouvray Sec 2023
Price: R547
Appealing aromatics of honeysuckle, pear, citrus, apple, some yeasty complexity and earth while the palate is lean, fresh and pithy – great precision. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

Radford Dale Renaissance Chenin Blanc 2023
Price: R499
From a Helderberg block planted in 1970. Small portion given skin contact for two days. Matured for nine months in old oak. A yeasty top note before citrus, cut apple, a hint of lanolin and spice. The palate is relatively broad with a good line of acidity and as savoury finish. Alc: 12.5%.

CE’s rating: 94/100.

Flight Two
Domaine Raphael Chopin Regnie La Ronze Beaujolais 2022
R518
Strawberry, flowers, herbs and white pepper on the nose. Seemingly medium bodied although alcohol is 14% – good fruit purity, vibrant acidity and fine tannins, the finish very dry.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Radford Dale Frankenstein Pinotage 2023
Price: R499
Sourced from a Helderberg vineyard planted in 1989 and made using partial carbonic maceration before maturation in older 500- and 600-litre barrels. The nose shows red and black berries, orange zest, rose, cured meat and a touch of earth. Despite a modest alcohol of just 12%, the palate has surprising breadth, balanced by vibrant freshness and powdery tannins. It’s a little unbridled, but undeniably compelling.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Flight Three
Vieux Bourg Clos du Vieux Bourg Beaujolais Blanc 2022
Price: R473
Exotic aromatics of orange, mango, honey and beeswax. The palate is rich and luscious with a smooth texture, while tangy acidity keeps it from tipping into languor. The finish is gently savoury. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Domaine Michel Bouzereau et Fils Bourgogne Cote d’Or Chardonnay 2022
Price: R853
Some struck-match reduction, citrus and a whiff of vanilla. Concentrated fruit, big acidity and a savoury finish. Pure, focused and very smart for the price . Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Flight Four
Domaine Santa Duc Les Quatre Terres Côte du Rhône 2022
Price: R418
70% Grenache, 15% Syrah 110%, Mourvèdre, the rest Carignan and Cinsault. Top notes of flowers and herbs before red and black berries, earth and spice. Good clarity and freshness, fine tannins – pure and balanced. Alc: 13.5%.

CE’s rating: 92/100.

Jamet Côte du Rhône 2022
Price: R710
100% Syrah. Red and black berries, violets, cured meat and pepper on the nose. Great fruit definition, bright acidity and tightly packed tannins, the finish gently savoury. Alc: 13%.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

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