Before I get down and dirty with all the juicy details, lets just talk about where it was held.

It is at times like these that I am ashamed to call myself a Jozi/Joburg original or even a foodie. There are so many hidden jems in our very own CBD that I have no even taken the time or day to get to explore. Urbanologi is a clear example of that. It’s in Ferreirasdorp just a stone throw away from that 20 storey central police station. Inside is the home of Mad Giant Beer which created the perfect setting for a restaurant that overlooks the beer-making process. The multiple floor open space, sounds of the brewery and particular attention to detail made this restaurant one of the most idyllic setting for a vintage launch.

We have been fortunate to win the best designed restaurant and bar in Africa & Middle East award at the 2017 International Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. Eat Out magazine awarded us best tapas restaurant in Gauteng.- Urbanologi.co.za

It was a couple of like-minded individuals who graced the floors of Urbanologi on the 29 October for the Vriesenhof Vintage Launch.

Cellar master Jan Coetzee took his passion for studying grapes and bottled his first vintage in 1981. He started off with cabernet sauvignon, cinsault and pinotage and by 1983 had started planting chardonnay, cabernet franc and merlot. The pairing was a cool one: 6 wines to taste with two paired with 3 dishes at a time.

First was the battle of the chardonnays- one barrel fermented and one unwooded. From my tasting experience, the barrel fermented always comes out on top. Barrel fermenting always adds another layer of flavour to each sip. No surprise here, it was my favourite of the two. I think it was also because it was an older vintage. From the colour to the lingering taste, paired with the watermelon and olive tapanade salad, it was two glorious ‘mouthgasms’ at one time.

After licking our plates and fingers and downing our wine, we then moved onto the pinot noir and grenache.

Lastly we had the Kallista and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Kallista was an easy drinking red that was a little light on the palate.  Having a more fruity quality, you can immediately pick up on the cherry note. I felt like they saved the best for last because this wine needed no pairing, no introduction and apparently, no label (they are yet to dress the bottle because it was so exquisite). I found myself drawn to this one. From the legs to the smell and everything in between, I thought my bias for a good cab sauv was taking over until my sentiment was echoed by people around me. Rarely do I say this, but I am out of words when trying to describe it so I’ll stick to the tasting notes we were given. “An elegant wine exuding red fruit, hints of cherries with soft tannins and a lovely structure. Pick up slight black pepper and tobacco leaf on the aftertaste. Matured in 200% French oak”.

A last little treat was us getting to taste 29 and 30 year old wine. Trying to contain my excitement of tasting a wine as old as me, I was one of the first to leap to main table for a tasting. You want my honest opinion? Of course you do. It tasted like juice. To be fair, I had no expectations whatsoever but if felt like the older it was, the more the alcohol flavour disappeared. Correct me if I’m wrong. Granted, I could probably drink barrels of it because it was so easy drinking.

This Vriesenhof Vintage Launch has to by far be part of the top launches I have been to. Careful attention was definitely paid and what you land up with is someone like me who can only sing praises for the brand and the venue. Let me not bore you with more words, check out the pictures, if you don’t believe me.