As you might know already I released The Spaniard, my latest wine, 2 weeks ago without revealing the cultivar combination of the wine. The intention was for my clients to drink the wine and take a stab at identifying the components - and true to form, I received plenty of interesting (not to mention humorous!) feedback.
To me, drinking this wine is like walking bare feet in mud - it covers your feet and creeps in and through every gap - it literally encompasses your feet. It's not precise. It's round, soft and juicy. It encompasses your pallet from side to side and covers every gap. Warm, velvety and lingering - EXOTIC!
A blend of 42% Mouverdre, 24% Carignan, 24% Grenache Noir and 10% Cinsaut. The Mouvedre and Cinsaut are from Wellington, the Carignan from the Swartland and the Grenache Noir, I'm afraid I'm not allowed to tell.... The Mouvedre is dark in colour with spice and sweet oak after ageing 24 months in American oak barrels. The Carignan and the Grenache Noir gives this wine its length and fills the mid pallet with sweet fruit (24 months in French Oak). The Cinsaut brings the elegance, refines and gives it its finesse.
I decided to award 3 tasters for their dedicated efforts in identifying the cultivars. I am astonished at the level of wine education (and resourcefulness...thank you Google and Wikipedia!). I think I might have to start writing more technical newsletters..... ANYHOW, the winners who each wins a mixed case of BLANKbottle wines are:
1st PRIZE - DESMOND MATZNER : "Mourvedre 42% - Grenache 24% - Carignan 24% - Tempranillo 10%........some Syrah ?????"
2nd PRIZE - MICHAEL DAY: "Tempranillo 42%, Grenache (Garnacha) 24%, Carignan (Mazuelo) 24%, Monastrell (Mourvedre) 10%"
3rd PRIZE - Joe and Jenny Grobbelaar: Tempranillo (Klein Karoo Calitzdorp), Mouvedre and Grenache (Voor Paardeberg), Carignan (Wellington) 2007.
And if you're still unsure if you should order a case or two for your cellar (or cupboard), see below for more feedback:
"Very interesting wine."
"Ek het 12 bottels van Spaniard bestel. 6 vir my en 6 vir 'n vriend. Nadat ek die 1ste bottel gedrink het het ek besluit om al 12 self te hou en nog 12 te bestel! (Ek wag net vir pay-day dan gaan ek die volgende 12 bestel!"
"Awesome stuff dude!"
"Ons is nou addicted!!"
"Demmit die bottel is leeg."
"The Spaniard was divine!!!"
"Rasperry dusty notes - plums and Prunes - Like a Southern Rhone"
"In a word it is exotic. In two words it is both exotic and elegant. In three it is exotic, elegant and smooth."
"Wil net se die wyn is heerlik."
"Keep up the high standard."
"For what it's worth, my wife and I both enjoyed The Spaniard tremendously - an excellent blend - our congratulations go to you for getting this right!"
So go on buy it HERE! OR reply to this e-mail with your order.
