Recommendation: A great introduction to South African reds and a very delicious red blend.
Winery/Producer: Anthonij Rupert & Benjamin de Rothschild; Fredericksburg Farm, South Africa.
Grape Variety: Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Western Cape, South Africa.
Vintage: 2011
Price: 371.45 (SAR) about $30.75 (US$) plus a $20 corking fee.
Purchased From: Vaughan Johnson Wine Shop, Dock Road, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa.
Paired With: Caesar salad with garlic and parmesan cheese. Roasted tenderloin of beef served with macaire potatoes, root vegetables, asparagus and bearnaise sauce.
Tasting:
He said: Clear, inky dark purple color with a light purple rim. Clean cherry, plum and mushroom aromas. Smooth, powerful dark fruit and spicy taste and a long flavorful dry finish that has slightly vegetal tannins and lingers. WOW, aromas that jumped right out, a harmonious fruit taste and long finish. GREAT with the beef. For me the best part of this wine was it wasn’t so “New World” and over the top. A great introduction to South African reds and a very delicious red blend.
She said: Opaque with lots of thin legs moving along at a steady pace. Intense ripe cherry aroma followed by a mouth full of pleasant sensation with the ripe, dark cherry dominating and the medium body and soft tannins singing the chorus. Dry and chewy the wine finishes with the tannins playing the final note. Fabulous dinner because the wine went so well with it. The wine complemented the beef (and even the parmesan cheese in the salad). Consistent from start to finish and the wine was good sipping as well as with the beef. The beef was tasty, the wine strong but not over powering. Although not cheap (especially by South African standards), but I would definitely buy it again.
Comments: Purchased from a Cape Town, South Africa wine shop and consumed in the Britannia Restaurant on board the Cunard Queen Mary 2.
Alcohol: 13%
Bar code: 6 009802 282021
Imported by: NA