Warwick Three Cape Ladies Cape Blend 2004
Stellenbosch, South Africa ($25)
I owe my interest in the idea of a Cape Blend to Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Last December they ran a story of how South Africa was embracing the idea of crafting red blends that can undoubtedly be recognized as South African. To achieve this wineries are utilizing a grape that many wine makers would probably like to avoid mentioning…pinotage.
There’s already no shortage of affordable South African red blends being imported into the US consisting of the Bordeaux varieties, Syrah and even some southern Rhone varieties. Even though the prices are inexpensive compared to old world versions, there are several other new world regions like Australia and South America that are competing for the same buyers.
What can South Africa do to distinguish itself and develop a style of its own? The answer seems to be in using pinotage in these blends that range from $10-$30. While pinotage by itself hasn’t developed the sexiest image among wine geeks, I find the idea of it as a blending component to be exciting.
This interest manifested itself in me taking a home a bottle of Warwick’s Three Cape Ladies 2004. This vintage is a blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 21% Pinotage and 13% Shiraz. Aromas of spicy red plum, black currant, mocha, tobacco and hazelnut show new world ripeness with old world complexity and character. This blending of old and new follows through on the palate as well with ripe yet grainy tannins that provide a lengthy finish.
In a blind tasting I might have pegged this for Italian wine. It’s ripe without being jammy, liberally oaked without it overwhelming the fruit, and has some of that rustic charm of the old world. I’m not sure what component the pinotage added in this particular wine, but maybe that’s the point. Its seamlessness is probably what this type of blend is all about. Overall a fun wine that will spark conversation especially in a blind environment.
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