Life is full of unknowns. Personally, I have never been one for surprises and much prefer the known. Take my birthday for example, every year a carefully curated ‘wish list’ is sent to my partner. Accompanied by hyperlinks and discount codes, for some this may be seen as neuroticism. I call it efficiency, a mitigation of disappointment if you will. And according to my zodiac, the tell-tale signs of a Leo.
Shamefully, my counsel from astrology does not stop there. In my early twenties, there was no sager advice than the horoscope pages of Cosmopolitan. You see, ambiguity is beautiful when it can be interpreted for affirmation. Psychologists refer to this as ‘subjective validation’, however for a young adult with a crush it seems more encouraging than picking the petals off daisies.
So, when Riversdale Estate’s Zodiac Range arrived on my desk, I took the opportunity to explore our astrological compatibility. In true Leo nature, I had impulsively centred a wine review around myself.
Riversdale Pisces Chardonnay 2023
90pts | $38
A water sign, that according to Cosmopolitan is imaginative, impressionable with enormous depth and empathy. Often referred to as malleable, Chardonnay is an empathetic grape that reflects its terroir and the hand of its winemaker more than most. Famous Pisceans include John Travolta, Elizabeth Taylor and Justin Bieber.
Crystalline clarity and delicately perfumed with ylang ylang, frangipani and orange blossom, tangelo, white nectarine and Packham pear. On the palate the acid is present but soft with chalky phenolics. Elegant almost bashful – everything is understated but charmingly so. White grapefruit, lemon pith, tonic and marble minerality. Following the astrology pages, Leos and Pisces are sexually very compatible however their communication might need some work. A little off-piste, but fortunately in this instance, I am willing to let this Pisces do all the talking.
Riversdale Scorpio Pinot Noir 2023
92pts | $40
The eighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpios are loyal and profound. Conversely, temperamental with a penchant for playing mind games. A commendable analogy to Pinot Noir, a varietal that is notoriously capricious with the best examples enigmas of ever-changing complexity. Famous Scorpios include Leonardo Di Caprio, Ryan Reynolds and Matthew McConaughey (there may be some bias in these examples).
Lustrous ruby in the glass, the wine is both delicate and bright, sashaying among a medley of red fruits; cherry, cranberry, goji berry and musky plum. A savoury vein of rosemary, thyme and petrichor runs through these youthful primary fruits. Their vitality is carried onto the palate alongside pomegranate arils, an appealing sweet-sour sumac flavour and crunchy acidity. As per Yahoo Lifestyle, the Leo-Scorpio combination is a match of opposites, with vanillin oak and pillowy tannins, I can attest that opposites attract. One classy Pinot.
Riversdale Estate Crater Chardonnay 2021
94pts | $80
A vinous equivalent of the bee-sting bun, this is wickedly sinful. The decadence of a fluffy brioche bun, honey vanilla cream filling and caramelized almond topping without the guilt… nor coronary. Bees wax, shea butter, grilled peaches, fennel fronds, orange blossom and crème brûlée, its toffee freshly torched. The wine is a sleight of hand where indulgent aromas hold your attention so that its freshness and zip are seemingly magical. Acidity bounces across its voluptuous body, whilst judicious oak imparts a brazil nut/cinnamon toast comfort. Along the length, the wine visibly softens moving from lemon juice to curd before cracking the caramalised layer of that crème brûlée and finishing with mouthfuls of custard creaminess.
Riversdale Estate Centaurus Pinot Noir 2021
95pts | $80
Named after the large constellation located in the southern hemisphere, this wine is a star. Predictable, I know, but let me explain. Tertiary notes weave into primary, forming a fabric of complexity – rhubarb, cola, sundried tomato, tobacco, carob and a creaminess that serves up the coffee notes as a macchiato. Tantalising, I take comfort in knowing that no one was around to witness my nose (and portion of my face) buried in the glass. Each sip unveils something new, something enticing, something that breaks self-control. Cherry liqueur chocolate, strawberries, Ovaltine, vanilla bean and a charred smokiness. This is confident and plush, although never conceited as the acid tip toes along a string of velvet tannins. And its length…. How long is that piece of string. The Scorpio may be Di Caprio, but this is Clooney.
Whether a devout or a cynic, there is no denying that the stars have aligned for Jasper Marais and Riversdale Estate. Both figuratively and metaphorically.
