Birkenhead-House-Wine-List
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Welcome to the wine list of Birkenhead House. Having spent much of my working life involved with wine, I have tried to create a wine list that has a true representation from the wines in South Africa and balanced with wines of both New World and the Old World in style, providing wines to suit most tastes and palates. I am often asked what my favourite wine is and my answer would be that I really do not have one. There are so many great wines made in South Africa that it depends upon the occasion, what I am eating, the time of year but I think most importantly the company I’m in. I have selected a range of House wines from our surrounding areas to offer a variety of grape types to suit many dishes, which are all available by the glass or bottle. This wine list is a work in progress and hopefully will never be finished. Please also note that some of the vintages offered are rare and we might not carry large quantities. If you have the time look through the list there are some fantastic wines from both individual family producers to large winemaking companies. They all have their place on our list and I have tasted them all. If you would like to talk about a particular wine or need some help selecting, please feel free to ask. However I am a great believer in “Drink what you like, when you like.” Wine is all part of the occasion, the more you enjoy what we have to offer at Birkenhead House the better the wine will taste. Happy imbibing, Ricardo Roux WINES AVAILABLE BY THE GLASS VILLIERA BRUT N/V ALC 12% VOL Traditional grapes of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir were used but with a South African twist with the addition of Pinotage. Subtle flavours dry & light. Stellenbosch VILLIERA BRUT ROSÉ N/V ALC 12% VOL Dominantly Pinot Noir with a dash of Chardonnay. Bright red fruit follows through to the palate. Refreshingly dry. Stellenbosch ASHBOURNE SAUVIGNON BLANC / CHARDONNAY 2015 ALC 12% VOL Pale straw. Slightly dank wet wool and earthy aromas, fresh and zesty on the palate, ample weight and length. Walker Bay BEAUMONT CHENIN BLANC 2015 ALC 13.5% VOL Fresh pure unoaked Chenin Blanc, made to express the delicious purity of the grape. A lovely wine to enjoy on its own or even better with a slightly spicy dish. Bot River EAGLE’S CLIFF SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 ALC 13.5% VOL Rich tropical flavours characterise this elegant wine with its slightly grassy character. Worcester HARTENBERG WEISSER RIESLING 2012 ALC 12.5% VOL The spicy richness on the nose gives way to a taut yet floral and fruity mid-palate that has both richness and complexity. The residual sugar is barely noticeable and if anything it contributes extra fullness and richness to the palate. Stellenbosch KLEINE ZALZE WOODED CHARDONNAY 2014 ALC 14.5% VOL A pronounced bouquet of citrus blossom, lime and ripe pear which is followed by layers of white peach and hints of vanilla on the palate. The wine has great length and persistent minerality. Stellenbosch TERRA DEL CAPO PINOT GRIGIO 2014 ALC 12% VOL Crisp, fresh citrus entry onto the palate with light, clean grapefruit and lemon flavours. Deliciously refreshing and unfussy. Franschhoek SIMONSIG GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2015 ALC 12.5% VOL Litchis and floral notes. White Turkish delight embraces the palate and makes an exit with a tantalizing lime finish. The rich and complex layers of fruit are well balanced with a fine and delicate acidity and off dry. Stellenbosch 7 SPRINGS UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2013 ALC 12.5% VOL An elegant well balanced unoaked Chardonnay with fresh citrus fruit aromas, subtle notes of white blossom, melon and peaches, together with a fresh and vibrant palate. Overberg Birkenhead House uses the Private Preserve wine preservation system rated the best in the world to ensure all our wine served by the glass is served at optimum drinkability and is always protected from oxidation. WINES AVAILABLE BY THE GLASS LA RESIDENCE ROSÉ 2014 ALC 12% VOL A pale pink, delicately fruity wine with nuances of apple and fresh berries with a dry and crisp finish. Franschhoek BLAAUWKLIPPEN MALBEC 2012 ALC 14.5% VOL This intense wine entices with whiffs of dark peppermint chocolate, mocha, rum and red berries. Full bodied with rich, ripe tannins and a complex, deep structure. Stellenbosch EENZAAMHEID CUVEE 1693 2013 ALC 14% VOL Layers of red fruit, black fruit and spice on the nose. Bold structure with fresh acidity and silky tannins. Paarl FOUNDATION STONE 2013 ALC 14% VOL This intriguing blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Tannat and Viognier is silky soft on the palate with succulent tannins and notes of white pepper, blackcurrant, white chocolate and cherry tobacco on the nose. Layered complexity on the nose and palate surprise with every interaction. Franschhoek JACKSON'S PINOTAGE 2013 ALC 14.5% VOL Full bodied with plumy fruit, cinnamon and pipe tobacco. Compact fruit and firm tannins ends in a long lingering finish. Stanford NEWTON JOHNSON FELECITÉ PINOT NOIR 2013 ALC 13% VOL Red berries, brambles and pomegranates on the nose. Poised elegance, smooth on the palate, with a lingering finish. Impressive structure. Hemel and Aarde Valley RICKETY BRIDGE MERLOT 2014 ALC 14.5% VOL Dark ruby-black wine with powerful ripe plum and black cherry fruit on the nose and a rich, juicy palate of red berries and blueberries layered with toasty oak spice. Well structured with soft tannins and a long finish. Franschhoek SEVEN SPRINGS PINOT NOIR 2012 ALC 14% VOL A beautifully balanced, vibrant wine it is garnet in colour, with delicate woodland and truffle undertones. Offering opulent aromas of raspberries, cherries and strawberries, the oak is subtle, supporting the fruit driven profile of this wine. Overberg TERRA DEL CAPO SANGIOVESE 2012 ALC 13.5% VOL Texture is the first impression, a touch chalky but then the tangy blue and black berry fruit and rich red plum spice take over. It is deliciously succulent and juicy in the mouth. Franschhoek VERGELEGEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON / MERLOT 2011 ALC 14% VOL Aromas of black and redcurrant, coffee, tobacco, mocha and oak. A mid-weight wine with noteworthy richness and a firm spine of harmonious acidity and intense berry and spice flavours. Helderberg Birkenhead House uses the Private Preserve wine preservation system rated the best in the world to ensure all our wine served by the glass is served at optimum drinkability and is always protected from oxidation. LIMITED RELEASE WINES DP Burger, winemaker & viticulturist of Glenwood Wine Estate in Franschhoek hand selected the grapes for these wines at optimal ripeness, to emphasize the fruit characters. The La Residence Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz has been matured in oak for 12 months and only 2700 bottles of each were produced and is exclusively available from The Royal Portfolio. Velvety smooth wines. Both true to their varietal characteristics. LA RESIDENCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013 ALC 13.5% VOL LA RESIDENCE SHIRAZ 2012 ALC 14% VOL RESERVE WINES CHAMPAGNE Champagne is the ultimate drink of celebration and consolation. At moments of happiness and triumph there is nothing quite like it. BILLECARTE SALMON ROSÉ N/V ALC 12% VOL R 2200 This small family-run Grande Marque house, founded in 1818, is now one of the most innovative in winemaking techniques. Mareuil-sur-Ay BOLLINGER 1999 ALC 12% VOL R 4800 Bollinger is one of the greats of champagne, a true Grande Marque with a very proud tradition dating back to the 15th century. Ay FOLLET SPECIAL BRUT N/V ALC 12% VOL R 850 Champagne with much character, expressing its own terroir. Its fruitiness and structure are in perfect harmony with its freshness and delicacy, typical of a quality Champagne. Reims LOUIS ROEDERER CRISTAL 2006 ALC 12% VOL R 11 500 Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas. Reims MOËT & CHANDON - DOM PERIGNON 2000 ALC 12.5% VOL R 5500 Moët is probably the best known of all champagne houses and certainly the largest. Reims METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE Methode Cap Classique is the name given to sparkling wines made in South Africa according to the ancient “METHODE CHAMPENOISE”. COLMANT BRUT RESERVE N/V ALC 12.5% VOL R 320 A true Brut with pin-prick mouse, Granny Smith apple freshness and finesse. Spent two years on the lees and can definitely be felt by the weight on the palate. Franschhoek COLMANT BRUT ROSÉ N/V ALC 12.5% VOL R 370 This blush coloured MCC shows elegance and sophistication. Beautiful Raspberry fruit and brioche aromas displayed by the Pinot Noir Franschhoek G.M. & AHRENDS BRUT 2009 ALC 12.5% VOL R 1200 The 2009 vintage is an exciting wine and shows that the 2008 was not a one-off success. Delightful flavours of citrus, lemon and an intriguing hint of red berry richness, the latter from the Pinot Noir grapes. Franschhoek KLEIN CONSTANTIA BRUT 2010 ALC 11.5% VOL R 550 Crisp and fresh minerality and flintiness upfront is followed by orange zest, lime and underlying cherry and vanilla tones. Constantia Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right - Mark Twain BLENDED WHITE WINES In the old world the majority of wines are blends of two or more grape varieties and wines are bought solely on the quality of the estate or area that they are grown in rather than the grape varieties used. Blends allow an estate to produce a wine that truly reflects the best of what the estate has to offer.