Representing SA Chef Magazine, our intrepid writer Steff van Niekerk visited Jordan Wine Estate on Monday the 25th of March. Below is a review of her experience.
Yesterday I had the great privilege of being invited to spend the day at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The mercurial Cape Town weather played to our advantage and blessed us with the perfect wine farm conditions.
We began the experience in a dimly-lit and beautifully set up wine cellar with a wine tasting of seven of Jordan’s finest wines – five of their estate variety wines, and two of their reserve wines. Each wine was fantastically explained, with each one having its own captivating story.
The wines:
- Cold Fact Sauvignon Blanc 2018
- Unoaked Chardonnay 2018
- Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2017
- Nine Yards Chardonnay 2016
- Black Magic Merlot 2015
- The Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- Cobblers Hill 2015
It’s not often that I go to a wine tasting and thoroughly enjoy each and every wine, but if I had to pick out two of my favourites it would definitely be the Unoaked Chardonnay and the Black Magic Merlot. The Unoaked Chardonnay is for those who don’t necessarily enjoy the oakiness of the usual chardonnay wines. The wine has aromas of lemon zest and citrus and is extremely smooth and creamy; once described as a ‘patio pounder’ due to the ease at which it can be drunk. The Black Magic Merlot gets its name from where the vineyards are grown. The vineyards grow on the black tourmaline-rich granite which darkens the soil and gives the wines a remarkable smell and deep colour. Tourmaline is known as a powerful stone that protects individuals from negative energies. Some might even say that this easy-to-drink wine will bring you good luck and good wishes.
From there we headed on a tour around the estate, where we soaked in the spectacular 360-degree view of the Cape Winelands. We also took a short stroll through the vineyards and see how the wine harvesting takes place. After the tour, we made our way back down the slopes to The Bakery, where we enjoyed one of the most delightful meals I’ve had in a while. I ordered their Traditional Flammkuchen (topped with crispy bacon and Black Magic onion marmalade) on a gluten-free base, and my word, was it phenomenal!
The experience as a whole was just exceptional, and I would highly recommend it. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about their food and wines, and are warm, friendly and accommodating.
For more information on Jordan Wines, or to book a tasting there yourself, visit www.jordanwines.com
