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Biography |
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Home > People
> Ken O'Hara |
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Ken O'Hara
Contributor
“Each bottle of wine has a story encapsulated within. There is
a piece of earth, work, and life contained in every vessel.” Ken
O’Hara, Sales Account Manager for A&B Imports, had his first real
wine epiphany in South Africa while earning his Bachelor’s in
Anthropology at the University of Washington. While breaking from
his studies, Ken explored the awesome vineyards of Stellenbosch,
inspiring a lifelong interest in South African wines and other
off-the-beaten-path regions.
Ken’s interest in culinary arts evolved through his diverse
experience as confectioner, baker, and ethnic cuisine explorer.
Now a veteran food and wine educator, Ken worked his way up to
Executive Chef at the well-loved Mandalay Café where he developed
a dedicated and diverse clientele who sought out truly authentic
Asian fare. Ken’s on-going passion for food and culture became the
backbone and turning point for his career in the wine industry.
The culmination of these experiences is what led Ken to A&B
Imports. With the most extensive South African wine portfolio in
the nation, Ken immediately recognized that A&B was the place for
him to focus his talent and knowledge for wine, and wine pairing.
His love of undiscovered wines and uncharted regions translates
into an opportunity to educate and excite wine lovers both
professional and personal.
“The world is full of armchair travelers. Some choose books,
some choose food and wine. Wine is a real and tangible way to get
into someone’s culture, a sensual way to experience difference, a
way to physically take in the world around you.” |
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Personal
Picks |
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Neil Ellis Shiraz 2003 (South Africa) $23
Nearly two decades ago Neil Ellis took a pioneering step in the
South African wine industry by pre-selecting grapes from pristine
vineyards to make wine thus becoming the region’s first negociant
wine producer. His 2003 Shiraz is a product of long term
relationships with the areas best wine growers. This Shiraz is
dense and hugely concentrated yet refined with layers of
mulberry/boysenberry fruit, roasted spice and lardon flavors. A
perfect match with rosemary grilled lamb chops.
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MAN Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (South Africa) $9
A winning collaboration between three top South African
winemakers, MAN Cabernet Sauvignon is full of spicy blackcurrant
aromas which lead to a sweet persistent fruit, smoky sage and a
clean finish unobscured by 6 months used French oak. Pairs well
with grilled meats or roasts, mushrooms and game meat or simply on
its own.
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Onyx Noble Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2002 (South Africa) $16
Nestled in a region blessed by superlative vineyards, exquisite
Flamingoes and rare orchids, Darling Cellars, makers of Onyx is
located close to the tiny hamlet of Darling on the cool West Coast
of South Africa. Made from the gentle South African Chenin Blanc
grape, this wine shows perfumed aromas of bergamot and orange
blossoms with an unbelievable mouthful of dried Turkish apricots,
spicy oak and honeyed graham flavors. Kissed by botrytis, this
‘sticky’ positively twinkles across the palate.
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Delbeck Champagne Brut Heritage NV (France) $40
Established in 1832 by Felix-Desire Delbeck in Reims, Delbeck
Champagne quickly became a favorite of the French King and his
court and in 1838 was named the official Champagne of the French
Monarchy and as a result the only champagne to carry the royal
emblem on the label. Made from 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay,
Delbeck is a lively and masculine Champagne with rich honeyed and
graham flavors balanced with taut acidity and notes of Bosc pear
fully satisfying the most compelling craving for Champagne.
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Bradgate Syrah 2003 (South Africa) $10
Made from the prestigious estate of the Jordan family in
Stellenbosch, South Africa. This spicy little syrah has a dark
mulberry color with flavors of wild blackberries, earthy bramble,
violets and bay leaf. An elegant style crossing styles of New
World fruit and Old World style. Delicious with any cool weather
meal—pasta, lasagna, pork roast or a fine French meal.
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Walter Dacon Syrah ‘C’est Syrah Belle’ 2003 (Washington) $28
This boutique winery located in Shelton, WA is making the most
beautiful and exciting Syrah of the vintage. Crafted of fruit from
Destiny Ridge, Elephant Mountain and Kiona Vineyards, the C’est
Syrah Belle sees maturation in French Oak with only 370 cases
produced. Belle is made in an austere style reminiscent of Rhone
wines with dense aromas of dark fruit, plums, black currants,
black pepper, and cloves with a velvety texture. Perfectly paired
with braised meats, lamb, duck and spicy seafood.
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Razor’s Edge Shiraz 2004 (Australia) $10
A super concentrated and extracted wine from one of Australia’s
great appellations, McLaren Vale. Big bursting spicy blackberry
flavors, chewy leather and espresso. A great wine and a great
value. Pair with grilled meats, braised lamb or simply on its own.
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Weinert Malbec 2000 (Argentina) $20
This is the classic Malbec from Argentina. Bodegas Weinert made
the first single varietal Malbec in Mendoza in 1977 thus starting
the trend in Argentinean winemaking. Made from 70-100 year old
vines, this wine has a truly Old World Character. Smooth aged
tannins envelop flavors of cocoa, Bing cherry, sandalwood and
plums. Pair with steak and potatoes for a real Gaucho feast.
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Broadbent Vinho Verde Non-vintage (Portugal) $9
This wine is a summer picnic in a bottle! The ‘green’ wine from
Portugal is made from local varietals Loureiro and Trajadura which
offer crisp and refreshing flavors of starfruit, Fuji apple and
lime with a bracing acidity and slight petulant spritz in every
glass. This wine is best ice cold on a hot summer day and can be
paired with fresh seafood, oysters, poultry and salads.
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Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserve Old Vines 2001 (Portugal) $30
From one of the best Quintas in the Douro Valley, the Reserve Old
Vines come from 70+ year old vines of Touriga Nacional, Touriga
Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barocca varietals that are foot
trodden en lagar. Firm and robust this wine offers sensations of
blueberry velvet, wild fruit, Eastern spices and cigar box aromas.
Voluptuous, with complexity and finesse, this wine will keep for
the next 12 years. Pair with braised lamb, grilled vegetables or
simply on its own.
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Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2002 (South Africa) $45
This boutique winery creates one of the most stunning Syrahs in
South Africa. A single vineyard from the Wellington ward within
Paarl creates a full-blooded Syrah redolent of the minerals found
within the granite-laden soils of this region. A long ripening
season offers long concentrated flavors of blackberry pie, grilled
meat, woody spices, and savory herbs. Strong tannins, great
acidity and elegantly composed, this Syrah stands above all others
from this region and is acclaimed to be one of the best in the
world. Pairs well with any meat or game dish, grilled portabella
mushrooms and sausage.
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Ken Forrester ‘Petit Chenin’ Chenin Blanc 2004 (South Africa)
$10
Yet another fine example of what Chenin Blanc can become as
interpreted through South African terroir. A bright, crisp spring
and summer quaffer! Aromas of orange blossoms, key lime zest, and
watermelon rind transform into clean flavors of young apricots,
kumquats and straw with a citrus zingy acidity. Great for grilled
seafood, fava bean salads and light poultry dishes.
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Meinert Devon Crest 2001 (South Africa) $36
This artisanal wine comes from the Devon Valley ward of
Stellenbosch where higher elevation and red sandstone and clay
soils give this tenderloin vineyard a unique advantage to growing
quality vines. ‘Devon Crest’ is proprietor and winemaker Martin
Meinert’s flagship wine where he focuses his skills learned
earning a degree in Viticulture and Oenology, during his tenure at
Chateau Lafite Rothschild and his winemaking travels around the
world. ‘Devon Crest’ is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37%
Merlot and sees 12 months in new French oak barrels. The nose
offers aromas of roasted black currants, vanilla and plum compote
that blend into a palate of plush fruit with a smooth entry, a
gliding earthy mid-palate that settles into a serious climax of
fireworks tannins. The experience drives a nail through the heart
of terroir and backs it up with sumptuous fruit, a serious wine
for a serious palate.
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Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (South Africa) $11
The area surrounding the town of Hermanus on the Southern coast of
South Africa is an up and coming wine ward noted for its cooler
temperatures and exceptional soils. Known for growing varietals
such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the emergence of cool climate
Sauvignon Blancs are turning heads away from historic vineyards
near Stellenbosch. This Sauvignon Blanc from Southern Right offers
the bracing minerality one might see in a Sancerre or other Loire
valley whites along with the tropical fruit aromas one might
capture in a Southern Hemisphere white. This wine combines the
best of both worlds. The nose brings memories of rolling in fresh
spring grass, salty ocean air and fresh cut citrus. A palate of
lemongrass, soft ripe Asian pear, chalk-lime beauty and zippy
acidity twinkles across the palate.
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Rustenberg John X Merriman 2001 (South Africa) $28
Established in 1682, Rustenberg is one of South Africa’s ‘grand
cru’ estates. This classic South African red is produced from low
yielding mature vines, hand harvested in the early morning. A
blend of 53% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc,
the wine was blended early for complete integration and matured in
new French oak for 20 months. The label commemorates John X
Merriman, Cape Prime Minister, who bought the farm in 1892,
demonstrating his belief in the future of the South African wine
industry, which had been devastated by phylloxera. During his
ownership the wine was exported as far as Siberia. This wine
challenges the Bordeaux aficionado with warm woodfire/cigar-box
aromas, classy cassis and marionberry fruit, velvety tannins and
long elegant finish. Complex and intense it will repay maturation
in cellar for the next ten years.
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Fairview Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (South Africa, Paarl) $8
Fairview has just released this new vintage of quintessential
spring and summer imbibing. Picked from unirrigated Swartland bush
vines this fresh and clean Sauvignon Blanc with a splash of
Semillon, offers Southern hemisphere ripeness of fruit flavors
such as carambola, lemongrass and nectarines harnessed by zingy
limestone minerality, honey-lanolin texture and nice taut acidity.
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Fairview The Beacon Shiraz 2002 (South Africa) $31
From the ‘very happening’ estate in Paarl, Fairview Estate is the
region’s maverick in creating new wines and exploring new land in
their quest of being ‘terroir leaders’ in the Cape. This site
specific Shiraz is testimony to their endeavor to make wines that
are steps beyond the standard fruit driven plonk common to
southern hemisphere vintners. Named after a surveyor’s
trigonometric beacon located on ancient metamorphic shale,
unirrigated Shiraz bush vines must claw their way deep through
large, grey shale stone in search of moisture and nutrients. The
culmination of this terroir and small harvested grape bunches
results in an elegant and impressive wine with supple flavors of
Marion berry, Bing cherry and dark cocoa wrapped snug in a French
oak, suede leather jacket. Will keep through 2010 in the cellar or
decant properly if consumed now.
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MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc 2004 (South Africa) $8
Often referred to as ‘Steen’ in the Cape Region, South Africa has
more Chenin Blanc vineyards than the variety’s home in the Loire
Valley. The men behind MAN Vintners (the acronym uses the initials
of their wives’ names) seek to rescue distinctive parcels of vines
from bulk blending by establishing relationships with individual
growers, adding viticultural advice as well as a grass roots
effort to produce high quality, low cost, eco-and enviro-sensitive
wines. This Chenin Blanc was handpicked in the early morning from
old vines in the granite-domed Paarl region. Luscious, ripe and
easy drinking this wine has notes of peach and carambola that
blossom through to flavors of honeydew melon and nectarine with a
creamy lanolin mouth feel and zingy acidity.
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Rust en Vrede Estate 2001 (South Africa) $40
The grand vin and modern classic of South African wines.
Established in 1694, Rust en Vrede became the first South African
winery to specialize in the production of exclusively red wine, as
well as the first privately owned estate with an underground
maturation cellar. Showcasing the Stellenbosch terroir, the Estate
wine has an earthiness that opens up to an array of voluptuous
blackberry, cassis and red fruit flavors with a touch of mint and
eucalyptus. A blend of the noble varieties Cabernet Sauvignon
(53%), Shiraz (35%), and Merlot (12%), the Estate is truly a wine
with finesse that will benefit from extended maturation.
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Warwick Estate ‘Professor Black’ Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (South
Africa) $16
The 2004 vintage of Warwick's Sauvignon Blanc proves that this
wine is every bit as unique as its name - and indeed the man it
was named after: Professor Malcolm 'Blackie' Black. The grapes for
this expressive Sauvignon Blanc come from a part of the estate
that the highly- esteemed Professor Black, an erstwhile
horticulturist at the University of Stellenbosch, planted to peach
trees in years gone by. These were not just any peach trees, but a
specially engineered hybrid that the Prof created himself, and
today carries his name. The wine shows an abundance of tropical
fruit, gooseberry, honey tangerine and green fig flavours on the
nose, carrying through to the palate, which is rich and fruity
with well-balanced acid and limestone minerality. The finish is
long and lingering - inviting you to come back for more. |
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