Winemaker Notes
The 2020 Lubanzi Red Blend is an old-school rhone blend with a contemporary style. Crafted from vineyards dotted throughout South Africa’s coastal region, this wine was created to offer complexity while simultaneously showcasing the red grape champion of South Africa, Shiraz. Notes of black fruit and spice with barley sugar, lemon iced tea and cracked black pepper. Floral, fruity and earthy.
Blend: 75% Shiraz, 18% Grenache, 7% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
-
Tasting Panel
Lush and deep, with rich blackberry and plum; spicy and seamless; balanced, long, and lovely. 75% Shiraz, 18% Grenache, and 7% Mourvèdre.
-
Wine Spectator
Lush and deep, with rich blackberry and plum; spicy and seamless; balanced, long, and lovely. 75% Shiraz, 18% Grenache, and 7% Mourvèdre.
-
James Suckling
A juicy and delicious blend of shiraz, grenache and mourvedre that shows a medium body with medium, round tannins and a savory finish. Delicious and satisfying. Drink now.
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.