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Vriesenhof, Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre, Stellenbosch 2018

46% Grenache, 35% Shiraz and 19% Mourvèdre, given nine months in old oak. Traditionally framed wine, showing raspberry and cherry flavours tinged with a mocha hint. Dry, savoury, well-balanced food wine for any hearty meat dish. Now-2023

To visit Vriesenhof is to spend time with a Cape legend. Founder, owner and cellar master is Jan 'Boland' Coetzee. Son of a west coast farmer, in the 1970s he was simultaneously both a Springbok under Doc Craven and winemaker at Kanonkop. In 1980 he bought his own farm on the windy slopes of Paradyskloof on the southern edge of Stellenbosch. In the 1980s he was one of the first suitcase smugglers of Chardonnay cuttings (in his son's nappies or the lining of a jacket) from Burgundy into the Cape. Though he was a mover and shaker, he also worked with enormous patience - he had loved Pinot Noir for over two decades but didn't release one until he felt ready in 1990. Earlier this year he completed his 54th vintage. Yet there he was in March 2020, humbly pouring wine for visitors.