De Grendel Sir David Graaff First Baronet of Cape Town 2015

This wine honours the life and legacy of Sir David Pieter De Villiers Graaff, the 1st Baronet of Cape Town and founder of De Grendel, the label (silver at the Label Design Awards 2021) featuring the family crest. It’s a 50:50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from Stellenbosch vineyards, matured for 22 months in oak, 80% new.

The nose shows cassis, tobacco, the vaguest hint of mint, vanilla and spice. The palate is well structured and not too opulent despite an alcohol of 14.5% – good fruit expression, fresh acidity and firm but fine tannins, the finish nicely dry. It’s a tidy drop but somewhat pricy at R1 500 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 93/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.

Help us out. If you’d like to show a little love for independent media, we’d greatly appreciate it. To make a financial contribution, click here. Invoice available upon request – contact info@winemag.co.za