Mark Maynard
@marmk.bsky.social
Arsenal. Dogs. Rum. Also Wine.
Scooby says night night
November 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Scooby says night night
Excuse the dribble on the label, but my god this is an incredible wine.
I bought a couple of cases worth over the last few years to cellar in Cape Town and brought some back in our luggage a few weeks ago.
I can see why @timatkinmw.bsky.social scores it so highly every year.
I bought a couple of cases worth over the last few years to cellar in Cape Town and brought some back in our luggage a few weeks ago.
I can see why @timatkinmw.bsky.social scores it so highly every year.
November 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Excuse the dribble on the label, but my god this is an incredible wine.
I bought a couple of cases worth over the last few years to cellar in Cape Town and brought some back in our luggage a few weeks ago.
I can see why @timatkinmw.bsky.social scores it so highly every year.
I bought a couple of cases worth over the last few years to cellar in Cape Town and brought some back in our luggage a few weeks ago.
I can see why @timatkinmw.bsky.social scores it so highly every year.
Enjoyed this tonight.
If I'd tasted it blind I'd never have thought it was a Chenin Blanc.
Acidity of a Sauv Blanc but with minerality and nice lees aging creaminess on the finish.
If I'd tasted it blind I'd never have thought it was a Chenin Blanc.
Acidity of a Sauv Blanc but with minerality and nice lees aging creaminess on the finish.
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Enjoyed this tonight.
If I'd tasted it blind I'd never have thought it was a Chenin Blanc.
Acidity of a Sauv Blanc but with minerality and nice lees aging creaminess on the finish.
If I'd tasted it blind I'd never have thought it was a Chenin Blanc.
Acidity of a Sauv Blanc but with minerality and nice lees aging creaminess on the finish.
Had so much fun tonight seeing @psbhq.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Had so much fun tonight seeing @psbhq.bsky.social
Yes Scooby, you are very handsome.
October 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Yes Scooby, you are very handsome.
Spent a wonderful early afternoon on the Restless River estate with Anne Wessels.
Delightful people, breathtaking views and incredible wine.
Just a perfect day.
Delightful people, breathtaking views and incredible wine.
Just a perfect day.
October 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Spent a wonderful early afternoon on the Restless River estate with Anne Wessels.
Delightful people, breathtaking views and incredible wine.
Just a perfect day.
Delightful people, breathtaking views and incredible wine.
Just a perfect day.
Back at the home of football.
August 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Back at the home of football.
Annoying.
Ended up pouring it through a fine mesh strainer into a decanter.
Ended up pouring it through a fine mesh strainer into a decanter.
August 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Annoying.
Ended up pouring it through a fine mesh strainer into a decanter.
Ended up pouring it through a fine mesh strainer into a decanter.
It was really lovely to have friends over today, not that I need much excuse to set fire to things...
August 3, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It was really lovely to have friends over today, not that I need much excuse to set fire to things...
Lastly, my favourite wine of the week.
Hereafter Here a Chenin Blanc from Chris Alheit.
A blend from a number of different vineyards in the Swartland.
It's stunning, if you get a chance to try one of his wines, take it.
Hereafter Here a Chenin Blanc from Chris Alheit.
A blend from a number of different vineyards in the Swartland.
It's stunning, if you get a chance to try one of his wines, take it.
August 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Lastly, my favourite wine of the week.
Hereafter Here a Chenin Blanc from Chris Alheit.
A blend from a number of different vineyards in the Swartland.
It's stunning, if you get a chance to try one of his wines, take it.
Hereafter Here a Chenin Blanc from Chris Alheit.
A blend from a number of different vineyards in the Swartland.
It's stunning, if you get a chance to try one of his wines, take it.
We've had this Barren Sands Palomino before and it was delicious and nutty.
This was like acetic acid. Such a shame.
And that's a real shame, not a South African shame.
Sixth and last place I'm afraid.
This was like acetic acid. Such a shame.
And that's a real shame, not a South African shame.
Sixth and last place I'm afraid.
August 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
We've had this Barren Sands Palomino before and it was delicious and nutty.
This was like acetic acid. Such a shame.
And that's a real shame, not a South African shame.
Sixth and last place I'm afraid.
This was like acetic acid. Such a shame.
And that's a real shame, not a South African shame.
Sixth and last place I'm afraid.
Smiley White v6, a non vintage Chenin Blanc from the Swartland.
A blend of wines that had skin contact and flor maturation.
It blew me away, so complex, one to really take your time over and think about.
I've bought another six.
Its the second placed wine of the week for me.
A blend of wines that had skin contact and flor maturation.
It blew me away, so complex, one to really take your time over and think about.
I've bought another six.
Its the second placed wine of the week for me.
August 2, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Smiley White v6, a non vintage Chenin Blanc from the Swartland.
A blend of wines that had skin contact and flor maturation.
It blew me away, so complex, one to really take your time over and think about.
I've bought another six.
Its the second placed wine of the week for me.
A blend of wines that had skin contact and flor maturation.
It blew me away, so complex, one to really take your time over and think about.
I've bought another six.
Its the second placed wine of the week for me.
A Sauvignon Blanc from Fryers Cove on the west coast, North of Cape Town.
As far away from those grassy, cats pee wines from New Zealand as you could ever hope to find.
You can taste the sea. I loved it. But it was the fourth best wine this week.
As far away from those grassy, cats pee wines from New Zealand as you could ever hope to find.
You can taste the sea. I loved it. But it was the fourth best wine this week.
August 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A Sauvignon Blanc from Fryers Cove on the west coast, North of Cape Town.
As far away from those grassy, cats pee wines from New Zealand as you could ever hope to find.
You can taste the sea. I loved it. But it was the fourth best wine this week.
As far away from those grassy, cats pee wines from New Zealand as you could ever hope to find.
You can taste the sea. I loved it. But it was the fourth best wine this week.
Anysbos Disdit 2022
A Chenin Blanc, Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc blend from the Elgin area east of Cape Town.
Really enjoyed it, lots of stone fruit and ginger.
Still comes in at number 5 for the week.
A Chenin Blanc, Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc blend from the Elgin area east of Cape Town.
Really enjoyed it, lots of stone fruit and ginger.
Still comes in at number 5 for the week.
August 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Anysbos Disdit 2022
A Chenin Blanc, Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc blend from the Elgin area east of Cape Town.
Really enjoyed it, lots of stone fruit and ginger.
Still comes in at number 5 for the week.
A Chenin Blanc, Rousanne, Marsanne and Grenache Blanc blend from the Elgin area east of Cape Town.
Really enjoyed it, lots of stone fruit and ginger.
Still comes in at number 5 for the week.
Wines of the week in order of drinking. We have consumed some beautiful wines this week and one that was very disappointing.
Restless River - Ava Marie 2021
Would have to rank this as number 3 for the week.
Restless River - Ava Marie 2021
Would have to rank this as number 3 for the week.
August 2, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Wines of the week in order of drinking. We have consumed some beautiful wines this week and one that was very disappointing.
Restless River - Ava Marie 2021
Would have to rank this as number 3 for the week.
Restless River - Ava Marie 2021
Would have to rank this as number 3 for the week.
This was the scene that greeted me when I tried to go to bed last night.
Love you Scoobs.
Love you Scoobs.
August 1, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This was the scene that greeted me when I tried to go to bed last night.
Love you Scoobs.
Love you Scoobs.
Really good doggy day care walkers send you pictures like this to brighten your day when you are in the office.
July 15, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Really good doggy day care walkers send you pictures like this to brighten your day when you are in the office.
Gorgeous Chardonnay from the Hemel en Aarde.
Hoping to visit the winery when we are in the Western Cape in October.
Hoping to visit the winery when we are in the Western Cape in October.
July 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Gorgeous Chardonnay from the Hemel en Aarde.
Hoping to visit the winery when we are in the Western Cape in October.
Hoping to visit the winery when we are in the Western Cape in October.
Weekend wines
AA Badenhorst Klip Klop Steen. Delicious. We stayed at the winery for a couple of nights, was brilliant to see the bush vines the wine comes from.
They've stopped making this which is a shame. I do have a couple of bottles in a cellar in Cape Town though 🙂.
AA Badenhorst Klip Klop Steen. Delicious. We stayed at the winery for a couple of nights, was brilliant to see the bush vines the wine comes from.
They've stopped making this which is a shame. I do have a couple of bottles in a cellar in Cape Town though 🙂.
July 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Weekend wines
AA Badenhorst Klip Klop Steen. Delicious. We stayed at the winery for a couple of nights, was brilliant to see the bush vines the wine comes from.
They've stopped making this which is a shame. I do have a couple of bottles in a cellar in Cape Town though 🙂.
AA Badenhorst Klip Klop Steen. Delicious. We stayed at the winery for a couple of nights, was brilliant to see the bush vines the wine comes from.
They've stopped making this which is a shame. I do have a couple of bottles in a cellar in Cape Town though 🙂.
Not the greatest Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc, but there is truly something magical that happens with Chenin vines as they grow older.
July 2, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Not the greatest Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc, but there is truly something magical that happens with Chenin vines as they grow older.
Just watched a squirrel take a cherry from the tree and munch it on the garage roof.
Typically it turned around just as I was about to take the photo.
Typically it turned around just as I was about to take the photo.
June 6, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Just watched a squirrel take a cherry from the tree and munch it on the garage roof.
Typically it turned around just as I was about to take the photo.
Typically it turned around just as I was about to take the photo.
Typically of us we went shopping today and came home with 12 bottles of wine 🙄.
This is an Italian Chardonnay, would describe it as medium bodied with good minerality. Really tasty.
This is an Italian Chardonnay, would describe it as medium bodied with good minerality. Really tasty.
May 24, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Typically of us we went shopping today and came home with 12 bottles of wine 🙄.
This is an Italian Chardonnay, would describe it as medium bodied with good minerality. Really tasty.
This is an Italian Chardonnay, would describe it as medium bodied with good minerality. Really tasty.
My partner found this at the back of a cupboard at work while they were emptying the office for a move.
A little bit of drama with the cork, but it drank beautifully.
I've asked her to see if there is anything further back in the cupboard!
A little bit of drama with the cork, but it drank beautifully.
I've asked her to see if there is anything further back in the cupboard!
May 24, 2025 at 10:04 AM
My partner found this at the back of a cupboard at work while they were emptying the office for a move.
A little bit of drama with the cork, but it drank beautifully.
I've asked her to see if there is anything further back in the cupboard!
A little bit of drama with the cork, but it drank beautifully.
I've asked her to see if there is anything further back in the cupboard!
Forgot to post this last night, I promise I haven't been drinking it this morning.
Really enjoyed this superb South African Pinot Noir from the Saurwein winery last night.
Lots of red fruit and just hit the spot on a Sunday evening.
Really enjoyed this superb South African Pinot Noir from the Saurwein winery last night.
Lots of red fruit and just hit the spot on a Sunday evening.
May 19, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Forgot to post this last night, I promise I haven't been drinking it this morning.
Really enjoyed this superb South African Pinot Noir from the Saurwein winery last night.
Lots of red fruit and just hit the spot on a Sunday evening.
Really enjoyed this superb South African Pinot Noir from the Saurwein winery last night.
Lots of red fruit and just hit the spot on a Sunday evening.