Avondale is a farm known for it’s strong biodynamic princples & practices – while many believe it’s all a bit airy-fairy, I believe it makes some damn good wine!

MCC:

• Armilla 2009: 100% Chardonnay, 10% wooded, 24 months on the lees for 1st ferment, 3 years in bottle. Rye toast, lightly salty, strong Salticrax, salted rye crust.(*)

WHITE:

• Anima Chenin Blanc (2012): Latin for soul, 500l French barrels, mostly older. Honeyed oranges, round nose, soft, subtle, orange pith. (**)
• Cyclus (2011): Latin for cycle, 25% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, 25% Roussanne, 25% Chenin / Semillion. Oily, lurking Cayenne pepper, honeyed melon sweetness, round, haddock-like sweetness, lime pith

ROSE:

• Camissa (2012): Khoisan name for Table Mountain meaning “place of sweet water”, refers to the spring water used on the vines, Blanc de Noir-style, 60% Muscat, 40% Mourvedre. Honey melon, pink flowers, pretty little girls in floaty dresses, slightly spicy, salty palate, lingering finish.

RED:

• Samsara (2007): Tibetan for continuous flow of rebirth & reincarnation, 100% Syrah. Musky, smokers’ room, leather & cigar, pink & white pepper, soft & flowy with a pepper bite at the end.
• La Luna (2007): 7 years bottle aged, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Syrah. Crushed velvet, balsamic tannins, blackness, inky, soft, subtle, liquid liquorice, musty & earthy.

NOTES:

• Only 7 wines produced on the farm, the last of which has just been released exclusively
• Armilla: ties back to biodynamics, if the moon can influence the ocean, it should be able to influence anything water-based (people, plants, etc.)
• 1 of the soil preparations involved stirring compost into water for an hour by hand – 1 minute in one direction (in tune with nature), 1 minute the other way (to create chaos)
• “So you spend an hour stirring shit? I know a few very good shit-stirrers I could send your way!”
• Logo: Armilla sphere – first drawing of the Earth as a part of the universe
• Best to swirl wine clockwise
• Tasting took place on a root day according to the lunar calendar phases (root, leaf, fruit or flower) – the phase of the moon impacts the flavour / aroma of wine, accentuating different elements with each phase.
• “If you can castrate a hamster, a duck can lay eggs on the run”

[Author: Leigh-Ann Luckett] [Category: Avondale, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin, Merlot, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier]