Cambalala Pinotage Shiraz 2013 - Wine Review

Many many years ago we travelled around South Africa, so drinking a bottle of red wine from South Africa brought back some good memories.

If you've read any of my previous wine review blog posts you will know that we buy a lot of wine from budget friendly supermarket Lidl. This wine was another Lidl £3.99 bargain.
Pinotage is a native grape of South Africa, which was created in 1925, it's a cross between Cinsaut and Pinot Noir.

Cambalala Pinotage Shiraz 2013 is a soft wine full of rich ripe dark fruit; juicy blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, with an aroma of cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla which lingers on the palate. Delicious!

From the bottle label -

Pinotage is South Africa's most famous red wine. Teamed up here with the powerhouse grape of both the old and new worlds, Shiraz, it makes for a wine of tremendous depth and excitement. Jammy, ripe blackberry, bramble and raspberry jostle for attention on the palate; the wine finishes long with hints of 

vanilla and cocoa. A superb consort for grilled steaks, roasts and creamy cheeses. 

Mmm, writing that last sentence means that now I fancy some creamy cheese. Hahaha!

Have you tried Cambalala Pinotage Shiraz 2013? Did you enjoy it?

Vanderburg Shiraz Pinotage 2013 - Wine Review

Another blog post, another red wine review.
What can I say? We like red wine. :)

Mr.R bought a bottle of Vanderburg Shiraz Pinotage 2013 from our local Co-Op.
Or to be totally accurate, Mr.R bought two bottles of Vanderburg Shiraz Pinotage 2013 from our local Co-Op.
Well, he couldn't not buy it. Why? The Co-Op had reduced it from £6.75 to £4.49 - Excellent!

From the bottle label -
Layers of sweet spice, berry and subtle plum aromas follow through to a rounded palate. Its soft tannins and full fruit work perfectly well with medium-rare chops and it will not be overpowered by strong flavours of garlic, rosemary or caramelised onions. Enjoy now, or within two years from vintage. 

Barley likes to help me when I'm taking photos. Good dog. 

Vanderburg Shiraz Pinotage 2013 is a lovely wine from the Western Cape, South Africa. It's 14.5%vol.
We thought it went really well with our food, which is pretty much always something seriously spicy, and we could definitely taste plums, damsons, and a touch of nutmeg. Very nice, and a bargain too.
It reminded us of our travels to South Africa, where we enjoyed lots of lovely trips to vineyards and of course tasting their wines.
Are you a fan of South African wine? 
Have you tasted Vanderburg Shiraz Pinotage, 2013?