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Originally from the Rhone, Shiraz is traditionally most at home in the New World in the vineyards of Australia. It’s Down Under’s most widely planted red variety, despite a major spate of grubbing up in the 1980s. Today, however, this full-fruit varietal has spread its wings and is now making a commotion in South America … first in Chile and most recently across the Andes in Argentina. It thrives in the warm climate, producing lots of ripe, spicy flavour. This is a weighty, warming red from the Groenendal Vineyards, an estate next to the Bovlei cellar, with vines planted high on slopes leading up to the Groenberg Mountains. The concentration of the fruit from these sites is always outstanding, so the grapes are in constant demand. Frank Meaker is the winemaker at the Bovlei cellar, who earmarked this parcel of Shiraz from Groenendal. He is the grandson of Paul Sauer, himself a political activist as well as a founder of the great, iconic Kanonkop Estate. To lend greater breadth of flavour and structure, Frank has added a small drop of Cabernet and Pinotage and given it all a little oak-ageing.

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Vergelegen, and outspoken winemaker Andre Van Rensburg, are widely recognised for producing some of South Africa’s finest wines. This superb value Bordeaux blend displays excellent structure, balance and finely grained tannins. The fruit consists of ripe berries and plums beautifully enhanced by silky chocolate and coffee flavours adding even further complexity to the palate.

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Wolvehoek is a unique wine farm nestled in a valley leading towards the summit of the Groeneberg mountain near Wellington. It takes its name from the many mountain wolves that roam the area. Owner of the estate is Doctor Lourens, a radiologist, who spends half the year working in England, and the other half tending his vines and wines in the Cape. The property dates back to 1784 and, just recently, Doctor Lourens has made considerable investment in the vineyards. The vines of the estate lie on steep slopes at a relatively high altitude. Both of these factors contribute to the wine’s quality. Firstly the incline ensures the vines are kept well-drained and thirsty, so the grapes are concentrated, whereas high altitude brings with it a wide divergence between day and night-time temperatures. This slows down the ripening of the fruit and produces greater depth and aroma in the wine. The grapes from this property are all taken to the Bovlei cellar next door, for the talented Frank Meaker to vinify. Frank is the grandson of South Africa’s most famous wine man and political activist Paul Sauer (of Kanonkop). As a young boy, Frank used to help his grandfather on the Kanonkop estate and always vowed that one day he would make great wines Frank has crafted this luscious, ripe red from the classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet and Merlot – richly fruity it has a velvet-smooth texture, balanced by seriously savoury tobacco notes.

A dollop of spice and all things nice from our friends in the Cape.