LASZLO 2006

In the 1980s, there was a new buzz in the winelands with the arrival of respected Rumanian wine personality who had fled his native Rumania with his wife and young daughter.

After a short spell at Nietvoorbij, he moved to the Bergkelder where he set about creating a whole new future for South African Red wine.

Cape red wines, which had already been matured in small French Oak barrels by pioneers David van Velden of Overgaauw and Frans Malan of Simonsig, were now matured in The Bergkelder in large quantities.

Recently a second vintage of an eponymous wine was launched by The Bergkelder, using 4 Bordeaux varietals and a good splash of Shiraz.

Vineyard blocks were chosen ahead of the harvest regularly visited by The Bergkelder’s viticulturists.  Grapes were harvested by hand at optimum ripeness and after the wine was made, it spent 28 months in the small barrels.

Though Laszlo whom I know quite well was small in stature, this wine reflects his personality – large and positive and full of character.  Deep ruby plum in colour with garnet flashes around the edges, the smells and the tastes are made up of layers of black cherries and blackcurrant, slices of spicy Christmas pudding, mint, chocolate with the tell tale whiffs of lead pencil.  Rich and full with tannins like an iron hand in a velvet glove. It’s a big boy and will last certainly another 6 or more years.

It was served with Marlene van der Westhuizen’s osso bucco Milanese that wasthe perfect partner.

Laszlo 2006 is available from exclusive wine shops from R220 per bottle; though expect to pay more if  you order it from a restaurant wine list.