Cabernet Sauvignon (red/Stellenbosch, Paarl)
There is a savory complexity to South African Cab, which makes it a delightful alternative to the more fruit-forward Cab values from Paso Robles or Sonoma, California. Imagine black pepper, bell pepper rounded out with currant, blackberry and plum. South African Cabernet Sauvignon fits somewhere inbetween new world and old world; it’s savory, but without all the grit of a French Bordeaux Superieur.
Syrah (red/Stellenbosch, Paarl)
Syrah from South Africa is becoming popular due to its dark spiced fruit flavors with a chocolate like richness. It’s important to note that since Syrah grows thoughout South Africa, it has a wide range of styles. You will find more savory wines from cooler regions such as Paarl and Stellenbosch and more richly intense wines from dry areas such as Robertson and Swartland.
Pinotage (red)
Pinotage is South Africa’s very own grape variety; a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Pinotage offers juicy raspberry to blueberry fruit flavors with spiced chocolate and tobacco. The wines are much more dense, higher alcohol and typically more savory than Pinot Noir. Pinotage often gets blended with Syrah.
