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Dear Wine Lover,
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18 May 2021
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“Smashable” Reds | Top Five Suggestions
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Based on nothing more than our own meandering experience and preference, these five wines are based on a premise Christian Eedes recently mentioned at the fabulous launch of MR De Compostella 2018, when tasting the Jasper Red Blend 2018. He said: “I’m sorry, not to be rude, but this is absolutely smashable.” Now we didn’t think it rude at all, what with winter in our midst, and red wine a Cape staple, enjoyed fireside, at HOME (you know given the subtext of a third wave and all that goes with THAT). As such, we thought we’d put together our top five red blend SMASHABLE suggestions this winter and see if you concur.
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“Formerly known as Red Jasper, this is a Cabernet Franc-based blend with 46% Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, all aged in older wood to allow the perfume to express itself. Supple and forward, with red berry and blackberry fruit, fine tannins and appealing freshness for a wine from such a hot, dry vintage. 2021-26”
- Tim Atkin, South Africa Report 2020
Food Pairing: Pair with venison dishes, lazy-aged sirloin or rib-eye and hard cheeses.
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2018
Raats Family Wines
Jasper Red Blend
Stellenbosch, South Africa
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R275
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93 Points, Tim Atkin
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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“Anton and Julia van Biljon, boutique vintners in Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills, have had an ‘overwhelming response from the marketplace’ to their first 5-star rating and Red Blend of the Year accolade in last year’s guide: their Cinq ‘15 was listed in Michelin 2- and 3-star establishments in Europe, and in demand
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locally and via their newer online channel ‘has been really strong’. They give ‘huge thanks and praise’ to eminent consultant Chris Keet, who makes the wine on-site with Anton and nurtures the 4 ha of fully mature vines, which carry the five (’cinq’ in French) black Bordeaux grapes that go into the blend.”
- Platter’s Wine Guide
Food Pairing: Enjoy with a great steak,
roast lamb or oxtail potjie.
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2015
Van Biljon
Cinq
Stellenbosch, South Africa
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R650
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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“This wine casts an attractive plummy purple-black colour and offers up vibrant notes of candied Parma violets, crème de cassis, sun raisined black cherries and hints of blueberry confit with an overlay of graphite and cedar spice. There is a lovely youthful maritime salinity and black liquorice nuance that melts into notes of iodine and Chinese five spice. The palate is medium bodied, fresh and supple but slowly unfurls to reveal a solid frame of creamy mineral tannins, ample Cabernet Sauvignon extract and a long, pleasingly drying grippy structure that is bolstered by salty cassis, taut black orchard fruits, stewed black cherries and hints of complexing bay leaf herbal spice. The 2019 vintage yielded wines with freshness, structural classicism, mineral tension and harmony and this superb new
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release from Vilafonté speaks honestly of the vintage and continues to fly the flag for premium second wines that offer exceptional quality, value for money and age-ability. Drink this on release with some lovely slow roasted lamb or age for 2 to 3+ years to allow it to open its shoulders further. A great wine for the savvy fine wine drinker.” - Greg Sherwood
Food Pairing: Pair with beef, lamb, game
(deer, venison), Poultry
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2019
Vilafonté
Seriously Old Dirt
Western Cape, South Africa
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R265
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92 Points, Greg Sherwood
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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“Further proof that Morgenster made some special reds in 2014, despite the large crop, this is Merlot based with support from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Leafy, subtle and savoury, with notes of capsicum and forest floor and refreshing acidity. 2019-26 “ - Tim Atkin, South Africa Report 2019
Food Pairing: This wine will be able to handle big structured meat dishes, but also try it with subtly flavoured meals like roast duck, poultry and ostrich served with a side of salad and a well-aged balsamic dressing.
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2014
Morgenster
Lourens River Valley
Stellenbosch, South Africa
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R195
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93 Points, Tim Atkin
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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“Indeed all the amazing old historical South African red wines of the 1950s and 1960s exploited this incredible synergy between the elegance, finesse and lithe supple purity of Cinsault and the plushness, power, flesh and textural concentration of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Once these varieties join hands in union, the whole is immediately incrementally greater than the sum of its individual parts.
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Having tasted and reviewed every wine Ian has ever made, this incredible Oupa Willem 2018 release represents a new pinnacle of quality in the next chapter of Naude Family Wines. Drink now or cellar for 20+ years.”
- Greg Sherwood
Food Pairing: Pair with beef, lamb,
spicy food, poultry
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2018
Naude Wines
Oupa Willem
Western Cape, South Africa
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R380
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96 Points, Greg Sherwood
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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“Deep, dark and intense ruby colour. Blackcurrant and black cherry fruit with hints of violets, cedar and cinnamon. Rich and complex with mineral, blackberry fruit and dark chocolate on the finish. Harmoniously composed of the five Bordeaux varieties to ensure none dominate. This wine shows a consistent, linear flavour profile with a polished and well-defined finish.”
Food Pairing: Pair with well-aged sirloin /
Rib-eye or Filet mignon / Hard cheeses
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2018
Raats Family Wines
Mr De Compostella
Stellenbosch, South Africa
xxx
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R1,650
Shop This Wine
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94 Points, Winemag
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94 Points, Tim Atkin
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Excellent
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