Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Spectator
Enticing, with a mix of gently mulled blood orange, bitter cherry and pomegranate flavors offset by shiso leaf, iron and rosemary notes. Has dusty tannins along the edges and fresh, almost perky acidity through the middle. Should knit nicely with modest cellaring and then provide a stylish drink.
-
Wine Enthusiast
There's a pleasant earthy, spicy character right off the bat on the nose of this wine, opening with pronounced scents of Dr. Pepper, cherry cola, red plum, chicory root and church incense. The medium-weight palate offers structured tannins that lend surprising grip, yet bright acidity keeps the mouthfeel lifted. The stalky, tight red-berry flavors on the palate return to spicy abundance on the medium-length finish.
Grenache thrives in any warm, Mediterranean climate where ample sunlight allows its clusters to achieve full phenolic ripeness. While Grenache's birthplace is Spain (there called Garnacha), today it is more recognized as the key player in the red blends of the Southern Rhône, namely Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and its villages. Somm Secret—The Italian island of Sardinia produces bold, rustic, single varietal Grenache (there called Cannonau). California, Washington and Australia have achieved found success with Grenache, both flying solo and in blends.
Literally meaning "the black land," Swartland takes its name from the endangered, indigenous "renosterbos" (translating to rhino bush), which used to be plentiful enough to turn the entire landscape a dark color certain during times of year. The district, attracting some of the most adventurous and least interventionist winemakers, excels in robust and full-bodied reds as well as quality fortified wines.