South Africa – Part 2: Red Wine

Tonight, we return to South Africa to taste two blended red wines. The first is a Shiraz-based blend from the Stellenbosch Region of the Western Cape. The second wine is mostly a Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet-Merlot.

These wines basically come from different sides of a mountain. The Shiraz blend comes from the cooler Stellenbosch area.

The Franschhoek (FRAHN-SHOOK) wine valley is a French area. Black Elephant focuses on French wine grapes, as does the whole valley. Mountains surround the valley on three sides and is very beautiful.

The Dutch were brought in to help reclaim the wet swampy area of Bordeaux, France that bordered the Atlantic Ocean. When large numbers of French left France in the 1600’s and 1700’s, some chose to come to South Africa and brought grapes with them. This area became a popular place for the French to settle.

Tonight, we are enjoying:

1. 2019 Thelema Mountain Red. This wine was purchased at Wine Styles for around $18. Aromas of juicy black fruit, mulberries, plums, and hints of warm spice. It spent 18 months in older French barrels. Grown in a cooler climate. The wine has pH of 3.51 and 2.2 g/l residual sugar. 57% Shiraz, 21% Grenache, and 22% Petit Verdot. The wine has 14.0% alcohol. Pairs with pizza or BBQ.
2. 2023 Black Elephant Three Men In A Tub With a Rubber Duck Red Wine Blend. This wine was purchased from Wine Styles for around $17. In addition to having a very long name, it has aromas of fresh-picked red berries and vanilla. Medium-body with bright acidity and flavors of cherry, liquorice, and violets. It is a 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 2% Mourvedre. 13% alcohol. The wine comes from the Franschhoek Valley region.

We gave both wines a 3 rating. I believe the Thelema could have improved with some additional aging as it was still rather bright. The Three Men in a Tub, I was close to a 2 and believe you can find a similar wine for at a cheaper price.

Next week we will taste a single varietal Monastrell from Spain.