Deep hue. Soft red fruit scents. Gentle palate of crisp raspberry and blackcurrant with a hint of leather. Supple, lightly perfumed, and with a tangy black fruit finish, this is mildly Northern Rhône in style. Now-2013

Product Code: VON709

Vondeling (literally the “foundling”) is a long established farm producing grapes sold to KWV, Boland and, recently, Rustenberg. Hampshire man Julian Johnson took over in 2000, and with new investment, and, from the 2007 vintage, a really capable, well-travelled winemaker in young Matthew Copeland, this is an estate now going places. The largely south-facing (i.e. cooler) vineyards are largely on very granitic soils on the slopes of the Paardeberg, a long ridge which represents an exceptional South African terroir.

We offer two blends here: the latest vintage of the Petit Blanc, from about 50% Chenin Blanc, 30% Viognier and 20% Chardonnay, made with seven months lees contact to lend some weight; and the Petit Rouge, from just 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, all in old barrels. These wines are not made to win prizes or startle the palate - they are just wines for drinking, fruity, lively and fresh. The two Shirazes both include other Rhône varieties: the Baldrick (named after the Blackadder character) includes 10% Mourvèdre and a little Viognier; and The Erica includes 14% split between Carignan, Mourvèdre and Grenache. These additions indisputably bring interest and complexity.