What do you get when you pair Cape Wagyu beef with American Cabernet Sauvignon wines? A match made in heaven of course!
Ken Forrester and Port2Port recently hosted an event pairing Cape Wague with some of the most distinguished Cabernet Sauvignons from the States. Ken started to import American wines and has done so every year.
What is so special about Wague beef you would say? The meat is tender, extremely juicy, rich textured with plenty of flavour and pleasant lasting taste on the palate. An extraordinary beef, is the only way to describe the Cape Wagyu Beef. Ken Forrester described it as the top of the food chains in beef.
Essentually Wagyu is the generic name for Japanese beef. It’s also commonly known as Kobe beef but much like the origin designation rules around Champagne, we can only call it Kobe beef if it’s from the Kobe region of Japan. ‘Wa’ meaning Japanese and ‘gyu’ meaning cow.
Ken Forrester Prime beef PTY (Ltd) was founded in 2010. The original Wagyu genetics were imported to South Africa in the form of embryos and destined for Angus surrogates. The farm is situated at the foot of the Helderberg Mountain, Stellenbosch. Their vision is to remain the supplier of the best beef in South Africa.
The Cape Wagyu Dinner was held at 96 Winery Road and is situated in the heart of the beautiful Helderberg countryside, 50 metres from Ken Forrester Wines.
We started the evening off with a glass of bubbly on arrival. The Sparklehorse Chenin Blanc MCC is absolutely beautiful and colourful. This MCC is aged for 14 months on its yeast lees to allow it to develop a creaminess and delicate mousse while still maintaining bright, fresh apple, pear and quince aromas. Intense green apples dominate the nose and first sip is like biting into a crisp, bright, green cooking apple. Fresh mousse and soft finish make it a delicious bubbly to enjoy.
FIRST COURSE
Carpaccio from hind and fore cuts served with truffled cauliflower purée and shaved wagyu biltong.
Wine pairing:
Grgich Chardonnay 2011 – Napa Valley
The Oak brings toastiness, while malolactic fermentation was avoided to preserve acidity. Flavours veer towards lemon, lime and grapefruit, with riper note of mangoes. It’s a dry, elegant wine for drinking now.
Grgich Hills Estate is a winery located in Rutherford, California in the heart of the Napa Valley. Grgich Hills’ vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic.
El Molino Chardonnay 2010 – Napa Valley
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Bold aromas of lemon rind, pineapple and toasty oak. Incredible depth of flavor including lemon pudding, yellow peach and burnt caramel. A voluptuous offering with a good tug of oak but a bright vein of acidity keeping the wine in focus.
Founded in 1871, El Molino is one of the first wineries in the Napa Valley and remains family owned and operated. Cellar conditions are ideal for the limited production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay using traditional winemaking techniques. The label is the original design introduced in 1871, displaying the Bale Grist Mill, or “El Molino.”
SECOND COURSE
Sticky short ribs served with tempura onion rings, chilli pickled carrots and sweet potato arancini.
Wine pairing:
Aperture Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 – Alexander Valley
Aromatically blessed in flecked coconut, this soft, round red blend is ripe and lush in black cherry and blueberry, with touches of cedar and tobacco in the background. Completely satisfying on the palate, remaining rich from start to end, it finishes structured and elegant, with delectable waves of dark chocolate and mocha. The blend is half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Malbec.
Andy Katz is a remarkable photographer and a very famous photographer in Sonoma County and his pictures are on the labels of Aperture Cellars wines. Andy Katz, gave his son, Jesse a profound respect for the creative art of winemaking. Jesse creates distinct, nuanced wines for his brand and who is doing nothing less than changing the way the world drinks.
“Like my father’s ability to tell amazing stories through his photography, my greatest joy is bringing together and interweaving the intricacies of space, place, and time – in essence, the terroir – that make a stellar bottle of wine.” – Jesse Katz
THIRD COURSE
Grill platter that consisted of New York strip, Stellenbosch ribs and Sally skirt steak.
Wine pairing:
The Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – Alexander Valley
Creamy, concentrated waves of vanilla and cherry, with just a hint of almond, open the way to high-toned structure and integrated tannin and oak, finishing balanced and bright.
A partnership between Ken Forrester and Sonoma County based winemaker Jesse Katz, this 100% varietal wine comes from a single block of a rocky, hillside site that Katz also sources for his delicious Devil Proof Malbec.
FOURTH COURSE
Roasted smoked brisket served with slow cooked shin with Yorkshire pudding and a rich bordelaise sauce.
Wine pairing:
Lancaster Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Alexander Valley
The 2009 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits incredible concentration. Complex aromas of black cherry, clove, nutmeg and blackberry lead to subtle notes of cassis and vanilla. The fruit is explosive, a blast of cherry and blueberry, tamped down by the hillside tannins so it tastes ripe but not over the top. The fruit richness lasts, spiced by the tannins into an elegant length. Delicious to decant now and well suited to aging.
A stunning wine estate in the rolling hills of the Alexander Valley, Lancaster Estate is one of Sonoma County’s elite wineries.
FIFTH COURSE
Dalewood Cheese served with preserves and crackers.
Wine pairing:
Boplaas Cape Vintage 2015 – Calitzdorp
In appearance, the Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port shows an alluring, deep purple black colour. This beguiling dessert wine is the result of an artful blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Souza that combine harmoniously to create a full-bodied gem that is rich in flavour. Expect to encounter layers of sweet cherry, blackberry, plum and dark chocolate notes on the nose and palate. While delicate notes of violet, pepper and exotic spice add interest to the mid-palate. Plump juicy tannins impart the wine with a plush texture and elegantly long finish.
Boplaas Family Vineyards outside Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo has over the years become synonymous with the production of outstanding port wines, as well as table wines from Portuguese varieties.
For more information on these wines, contact Port2Port at: info@port2port.co.za. Port2Port is an online wine retailer that offers you an innovative and unique way of purchasing fine wine online and deliver directly to your door.
Cape Wagyu platters are served Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 17h00 and Saturday: 9h30 – 15h30 at Ken Forrester Wines Cellar Door @ R110/platter.
Categories: Region, Stellenbosch
