Odd Bins Bin Number 633 Shiraz 2016

Art for art’s sake, money for God’s sake.

If you’re the kind of consumer who is not overly concerned about provenance but rather wants the best wine for the least amount of money then the Odd Bins range from Checkers might have some appeal – the supermarket chain acquires wine from leading producers to bottle under its own label, the source of the wine remaining undisclosed and the price discounted.

Recently four new wines were added to the range, the labels featuring work by South African artists, namely Rose Chaston, Lauren Fowler, Musonda Kabwe and Poppy Moletsane and quite pleasing they are, too. Unfortunately, wine quality across the range is patchy. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Odd Bins Bin Number 244 Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Price: R54.99
W.O. Coastal Region. Quite a shy nose before a palate that has fruit punch flavour and bright acidity. Inoffensive but not particularly complex or long.

Editor’s rating: 85/100.

Odd Bins Bin Number 331 Chardonnay 2018
Price: R49.99
W.O. Paarl. Vague notes of citrus and peach and perhaps a brush of oak although it’s difficult to tell with certainty whether this has been in the barrel. Very plain with soft acidity and a short finish. Quite how this won gold at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirit Awards is difficult to fathom.

Editor’s rating: 83/100.

Odd Bins Bin Number 633 Shiraz 2016
Price: R59.99
W.O. Cape South Coast. Appealing aromatics of red fruit, some floral fragrance, a little olive brine creeping in and white pepper. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish gently savoury. Delicious and a proper bargain.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Odd Bins Bin Number 840 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Price: R64.99
W.O. Stellenbosch. Red and black fruit, crushed herbs and attractive oak on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with good freshness and firm but fine tannins. Not elaborate or showy – thoroughly good everyday drinking.

Editor’s rating: 88/100.

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