Flagstone Poetry Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Bang for your buck.

Flagstone is owned by the prosaic Accolade Wines, previously known as Constellation, at one time the biggest wine company in the world. Luckily, it’s run by the often lyrically minded Bruce Jack, who’s just added a new tier to the range consisting of a Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and a Merlot 2010 under the name “Poetry”.

These are “lifestyle” wines, which is to say they are entry level – the Sauvignon Blanc set to sell at R36 a bottle and the Merlot 2010 at R39.60. “Unbeatable value for money” claims the media release. “After all, we want poets to enjoy our work too!”

The Sauvignon Blanc 2011 offers great quality relative to price. A multi-regional blend, it appears a bit shy on the nose but has lots of juicy fruit and relatively soft, tangy acidity. There’s a relatively broad flavour spectrum from lime through melon as well as some herbaceousness and the residual sugar of 5.1g/l is well concealed. Score: 15.5/20.

The Merlot 2010, sadly, is not quite in the same league. Matured on a combination of American and French oak staves, there’s no denying a coffee character on nose and palate. The palate is light bodied with red fruit and somewhat tart acidity. Score: 14.5/20