Gabrielskloof The Blend 2009

One of the best ways to learn about new wines is to attend as many wine tastings as possible, and in my profession that means at least 4 or 5 a week! You may wonder then how I am still able to write this column as we taste up to 15 wines a session, so I have had to master the fine art of spitting! Sounds disgusting but done in a dignified manner and into a silver spittoon it’s not as bad as it may seem and has saved my liver, so far anyway!

However, I particularly enjoy attending wine tastings with likeminded friends and it was at one these that I discovered The Gabrielskloof “The Blend” 2009! The wines on that evening were tasted “blind” (wine bottles covered) which means you concentrate on what is in your glass and asses the colour, aroma and flavour, and this wine had everyone’s attention!

Gabrielskloof is a relatively new winery tucked away on the outskirts of the lovely village of Bot River, as you drive towards Hermanus on the N2 in the Cape. Established in 2003 their first wines were bottled in 2008 and immediately had fans clamouring for more! The team from Gabriëlskloof are united in their vision to make quality, well-priced wines that showcase the terroir of the Bot River region. Today, the well planned vineyards are seven years old but the history of the land might remember when 150 years ago, farmer Gabriël le Roux planted the first vines here. He produced wine and brandy to sell to travellers journeying from Cape Town to the outskirts of the colony!

The Blend 2009 is made up of the five Bordeaux varieties 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec and 6% Cabernet Franc and is in its second vintage. The wine has magnificent plum colour with forthcoming aromas of black cherry with hints of mint and dark chocolate. The rich and full palate is full of juicy dark fruit with a hint of smokiness towards the lingering warm finish. After the wine tasting we enjoyed The Blend with a perfectly prepared Beef Wellington and there was no surprise as the wine complimented the rich flavours of the food perfectly.

Although you can drink the wine now it will develop even further with a few years of cellaring and at this price it is well worth it.

 Expect to pay R80.00