A Week With South African Wine - Friday: The Southern Rhône

by Andrew Chalk

Yesterday I wrote…

I have been impressed by South African wines pretty much from my first contact with them. Nowadays they reflect expert winemaking, a God-given climate for grape growing, and good value. Recently, I was acquainted with another of the seemingly endless cast of small, family-run wineries in South Africa when the estimable John Gorman of Southern Starz wrote to me and said, "Oy! You have to try the wines of David Finlayson."

"David Finlayson?" I said. "What is his background?"

"Time at Château Margaux. Winemaker at Glen Carlou — their Chardonnay is the single most successful Chardonnay in South Africa. Long, consistent history, of course," replied Gorman.

I was intrigued, and waited with anticipation to taste the wines.

Finlayson makes a broad selection of red and white wines so to give them the attention that each deserves I have split them into smaller ‘sub-flights’. 

Today it is the turn of the southern Rhône Blend..   

David Finlayson 2022 ‘The Pepper Pot’, Coastal Region W.O., South Africa ($16)

From South Africa’s Coastal Region W.O. (Wine of Origin) comes the oenological equivalent of a dog’s breakfast: 68% Syrah, 13% Mourvèdre, 9% Grenache, % Tannat, 2% Cinsaut. The whimsical name ‘The Pepper Pot’, is appropriate given the peppery notes in the nose. There is also abundant forest floor, beefy notes, raspberries, and mushrooms. 

Drink now. Best paired with red meat or pasta with red sauce.

Buy here.

Sample.