I am seated on a terrace, with the best views of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain. I am pondering life (considering, measuring, contemplating, calculating) through the looking glass ... as the realization dawns that it is indeed an honour and privilege for me to be present here, where I am … this Baia Seafood Restaurant, and it is my pleasure to hail you welcome to the Legend – a once of a kind cullinary experience, owned and operated by some of South Africa's best restaurantuers Luis Vienna and Daryl Mendelsohn.
On the table in front of me are ten glasses, each filled with different variations of the yet to be released De Toren Fushion V (2006). Those familiar with my brief history as a Sommelier would agree that it is indeed strange that I am here, participating in one of the most prestigious of South African panel tastings, hosted by a single Wine Estate. Understandable then perhaps that I am seated her with mixed emotions fully aware of the calibre of my fellow panelists with representatives from Woolworths, Checkers, Wine-Club-of-the-Month and Liquidity. I am dwarft by my shortcomings as an aspirant Sommelier.
Leading the tasting is Mr. Albie Koch (De Toren Winemaker since 1998), assisted by the De Toren Team (Mr. & Mrs De Dulk and Sons). I am in particular impressed by his calm demeanour and silent confidence as he patiently guides through the tasting process, answering each question with succint precision, noting our comments and entering our final scores into his Lap Top.i
And while all this is going, my attention keeps on drifting … drifting to the glass panel, appearing so fragile against the Cape Doctor, yet has shielded the terrace from the worst of the Cape weather (including rain and wind) … drifting through the glass towards the mountain … drifting back to pleasant memories of climbing Table Mountain via the Platteklip Gorge route (appearing like a scar against the face of the mountain) … remembering how challenging the first time was … and I am reminded that it was only one year ago (almost to the day) that I found myself seated on the exact same terrace. This time there was no panelists, no wine, no winemaker, nothing except for the bare steel tables, grey chairs, grey depressing skies, a unceasing horrible rain and the chilling realization that, as far as my professional career is concerned, I have successfully engineered a Cul-de-Sac.
Hence, the pivotal importance of this event, representing an important turning point in my short career as Sommelier. Furthermore, it should be a curiosity that the glass (out the ten in front of me) that receives my highest rating is the one which triggers vivid images reminding me of my time spend exploring Table Mountain.
The De Toren Fushion V is a gorgeous wine – a harmonious symphony of five Bordeaux red grape cultivars (Cab, Cab|Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec), elegantly fused together to create a magnificent master piece showing great depth, complexity and ageing potential – a wine with a smooth and well rounded mouth-feel, a mixture of dark fruit, earthy tones, cigar box and lingering finish.
And as I am here, seated in silence, in the presence of greatness, listening to the conversations in the room, staring intendly through the looking glass, I am simultaneously considering our collective tumultuous history, ambiguous present and uncertain future as a human race, I am fully confident of this one single fact that, in light of the present economic instability, political upheaval and the multitude of challenges we face, whatever lies beyond us, whatever lies behind us, does not compare to the greatness hidden deep within the core of we really are as organic entities.
The Fushion V, produced in limited quantities, is most definitely not for the faint hearted, not for the novices and not those in search of a quick fix or instant success, without the willingness of paying the price. It is a fine wine created with great care, great difficulty and at a great price. It is a wine which in my mind best respresents our collective search for human excellence, whether it is landing a man on the moon, or landing a robot on mars, or finding a cure for cancer, or championing human freedom, as simple a thing as planting a rose garden.
In celebration of a recent successfully business deal, I am planing to climp Table Moutain soon, in celebration of this my significant personal triumph against all the odds … and I will leave it up to you to guess as to which wine I will take along with me … I will sit down upon a rock, lite a cigar and, in honour of human greatness, raise a glass …
SALUTE!
Important Note: Since their maiden vintage in 1999, the De Toren Team has always insisted on producing a wine of distinction and excellent quality. This commitment to excellence has led to extensive vineyard and soil preparation, careful berry selection, a gentle wine making process, selective barrel selection and maturation. The finally panel tastings hosted across South Africa designed to incorporate the direct input from market leaders. This process requires patience, it is tidious and very expensive and in my humble opinion honest, commendable and greatly rewarding. Salute!
Good stuff - I hope that this association gets going and contributes to the culture of education and professionalism that we need in this country.
ReplyDeleteMike Ratcliffe