The launch of the 2011 High Road Bordeaux blend of Les Sweidan and Mike Church is a red-letter day for a red indeed in the diary of any self respecting boykie (never mind a Mano). It all happened last night at Mano a Mano, a hip brasserie cum eatery off trendy Kloof Street in Gardens and it was wall-to-wall Manos and Girlos. So much so in fact that Winnie Bowman and I had to hug a crack leading onto the smoker’s balcony for some cool breezes, even though it was subarctic outside. By the by, how very Cape Town to come to a wine launch and take your tasting glass outside to enjoy with a fag. Real Sandton by the seaside behaviour.

Was there ever a tasting venue less suited to a wine? Did the battered calamari work with the blend? No. Could anyone find parking? Are you messhugah! Only Winnie had a bay reserved for her outside the restaurant. So I grabbed my press pack and headed off for Hooman Saffarian and his grilled lamb chops at Sloppy Sams on Somerset Road in De Waterkant.

The Road suited the lamb like it ran through the Karoo. Exotically perfumed nose, remarkably smooth for such a young wine with layers of flavour and a satisfying palate weight. A classic Stellenbosch blend.