Arco Laarman and his Beagles
Arco Laarman is one of those really talented wine makers who fly under the radar, and few will know of him. Having started as an apprentice winemaker at Kaapzicht Wine Estate in Stellenbosch under the tutelage of Danie Steytler, he moved on to Glen Carlou originally as Assistant to David Finlayson where he worked for 20 years.
He then flew solo and started Laarman Wines. His Focal Point Chardonnay and Cinsault and wines which I have truly enjoyed in previous vintages.
Now Arco has, for the first time. taken five stars for both of these very special wines in the recently announced Platter’s 5 Star Wines awardees. So, so deserved.
Chardonnay ripening on the vine
The grapes for the Focal Point Chardonnay 2019 hail from Vermaaklikheid – a unique coastal terroir of cooler-climate, late-ripening limestone soil vineyards. It retails at R295.00
Arco went back to his roots in Paarl for the 2019 harvest of Focal Point Cinsault, a heritage grape variety he views as a South African flag-bearer on the international stage. This wine retails at R205.00.
Cinsaut on the vine, large loosely packed bunches
Both wines achieved 91 points on the Tim Atkin MW South Africa Special Report 2021.
My tasting notes for the wines
Focal Point Chardonnay 2019
In the glass, the wine is a gem bright pale citrine. The aromas are classical Chardonnay citrus, I loved the lemoniness if there is such word, there is tropical limes and soft citrus peel there as well. The palate is rich and generous, almost oleaginous, with a lovely line of acidity running through to the long aftertaste. There are tastes of desiccated pineapple, a lovely river stone minerality and roasted hazelnuts. Complex, layered, it is a joy to drink…
Focal Point Cinsault 2019
I have a real soft spot for Cinsault, half of my father’s vineyard was panted to what he called Hermitake. It was one of the red wines grapes planted after the phylloxera in the late 19th century. This is a wine of regal elegance. Beautifully packaged in a Burgundy shaped bottle with an unusual attractive label. In the glass, the wine is translucent, a good dark cherry in colour which pales out to garnet at the edges. Wonderful country lane fruit aromas. Brambles, mulberries and oak and its concomitant brown spice and vanilla are found on the palate. Rich and generous and lasting. Impressive glass.
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For further information on the wines, stockists and distribution, visit www.laarmanwines.com,
email [email protected]
or call +27 (0) 835 461 146.
