Reflecting a spectrum of colours as per its gemstone namesake, the 2018 Tourmaline from the Yzerfontein-based Blake’s Family Wines stable manifests the Swartland terroir to a T.
Subtly elegant, this creamy, barrel-fermented Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier blend is a smash hit with poultry, Asian dishes, seafood or light pastas. While the fresh, fruity unwooded bush vine Chenin Blanc is its backbone, the wood-fermented Chardonnay and Viognier beef up the wine’s rich creaminess.
Recognised by its jubilant straw colour, the notes of peach and apricot are balanced harmoniously by the acidity and oak. This adds to the mouth feel, resulting in impressive length and richness on the finish.
Blake’s Family Wines is just that: a family affair. Andries is a veteran winemaker who’s notched up three decades of vintages, wife Marinda deftly cuts through the export and logistics red tape and son Van der Bijl bursts with ideas as head of marketing.
Sit down at the House of Blake’s for a tasting of their premium range, the single-vineyard Malbec and the quirky 16 Mile Beach lifestyle range. But while you’re at it, this warrants a good time with poems-captured-in a-bite sushi and plump pizzas.
House of Blake’s, Ou Stal Building, Yzervark on the R315 near Yzerfontein. Open: Wed – Saturday 11h00 – 18h00 and Sundays till 16h00. Ph 022 4512701; or order from https://www.blakefamilywines.com/shop_online.html.