Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Lubanzi Red Blend is a complex blend of five different varietals, the wine is a lush, dark ruby color, indicating a serious, yet still vibrant wine. The nose suggests equal parts fruit, savor, & spice, eliciting thoughts of plum, licorice & a touch of ground coffee. The palate reflects on this, showing dark fruits at first, before soon giving way to lighter red fruits, such as strawberry & raspberry, which carry to the end. It finishes with a touch of spice & raw earth. Throughout it is soft with a slight presence of tannins, which is quickly countered by an elevated acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Medium ruby color with a spicy berry nose; balanced with notes of spiced black raspberry and plum. A generous and long blend of 39% Shiraz, 34% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 9% Cinsault, and 3% Carignan.
Born in Cape Town and named for a wandering dog who led two young travelers backpacking across South Africa's Wild Coast, Lubanzi is a true start-up, sustainable, and socially-conscious wine co. that focuses on crafting fairly produced wines that punch above their weight and create a difference in the lives of the laborers who work on South Africa's wine farms. Sourcing primarily from Fair for Life Fair Trade & Sustainably farming certified vineyards, giving back to a non-profit that works to improve life for those working on SA’s wine farms & becoming South Africa’s first certified B Corporation winery are all symbols of Lubanzi’s commitment to being a leader in social & environmental responsibility.
Lubanzi is the story of partnerships, of travels, of community, and of the path less traveled. They believe in making wines for adventurers and the rest of the pack, from where the mountain meets the ocean, helping you make a home in new places, and an adventure out of the ones we know by heart.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.