A Week With South African Wine - Saturday: The Red Blend

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 Bordeaux red blend.   

David Finlayson 2022 ‘CAB et al’, Coastal Region W.O., South Africa ($15)

From South Africa’s Coastal Region W.O. (Wine of Origin) comes the oenological equivalent of a dog’s breakfast for the second day. This one a Bordeaux blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. Hence the name ‘CAB et al.’ 

It is all dark fruit and oak in the nose. On the palate robust tannins provide a solid structure for blackberry flavors, lots of herbal notes, and forest floor. 

This is not an ager. Drink now with barbecue

Buy here.

Sample.