Old Mates Red Blend 2023
Primary flavours

Raspberry

Red Apple

Sweet Red Cherry

Cooking Spices

Rose Petal

Tarragon

White Pepper
Details
Cinsault is probably the unsung hero of the South Africa wine industry - a variety found planted across the country but for years either blended away without recognition or harvested late and heavy and soupy. No longer! Now recognised for it's unique character, vintners are producing eminently drinkable expressions of this grape - and this is a great example. Medium-bodied, juicy and filled with fruit, it's a real charmer and perfect for summer.
It's back! After visiting South Africa in 2018 to find exceptional wines to bring back to Australia, the most exciting discovery was finding an Australian making wine in Stellenbosch with his South African wife. Their wines, under the Craven label, are unique expressions of special vineyards in South Africa, and these wines are so so great. Mick and Jeanine met in 2007 while both working harvest in Sonoma, California. After bonding and then finishing their degrees, they decided to hit the road, see lots of things, work in lots of places and try and learn as much as possible from this massive wine world. Harvests in different regions in different countries eventually led them back to Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2011. They love this part of the world, and want nothing more than to express the area through their wines - let the grapes do the talking....
It's back! After visiting South Africa in 2018 to find exceptional wines to bring back to Australia, the most exciting discovery was finding an Australian making wine in Stellenbosch with his South African wife. Their wines, under the Craven label, are unique expressions of special vineyards in South Africa, and these wines are so so great. Mick and Jeanine met in 2007 while both working harvest in Sonoma, California. After bonding and then finishing their degrees, they decided to hit the road, see lots of things, work in lots of places and try and learn as much as possible from this massive wine world. Harvests in different regions in different countries eventually led them back to Stellenbosch, South Africa in 2011. They love this part of the world, and want nothing more than to express the area through their wines - let the grapes do the talking....
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Taste Profile
This wine’s tasting notes.
Sweetness
lowmediumhigh
Body
lightmediumfull
Fruitiness
nonesomelots
Tannins
lowmediumhigh
Acidity
lowmediumhigh
Oak
nonesomelots
Alcohol
low
(under 12%)medium
(12-14%)high
(14%+)
Taste Summary
This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards medium bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, very fruity, low tannins, medium alcohol and no oak.
Specs
Region
Stellenbosch
country
South Africa
Grape type
Cinsault
Wine Maker
Craven Wines
Alcohol
12.5%
Vintage
2023
Cellar period
3-5 years
Production method
Sustainably Made
Pairing guide
Old Mates winery in Stellenbosch has done a fantastic job of capturing the finer features of Cinsault, a wine deeply associated with the bistro menus of France - and not without good reason. This wine loves the deep punch of garlic flavour central to loads of Gallic dishes, and while you might not want to match it up with garlic snails (the one true traditional Cinsault pairing), it’s a good place to start for matches better suited to your palate. Roast chicken thighs, beef steak, heartier pork and lamb dishes, meaty braises and stews will all work wonders with this wine, and it’s just as delicious with smoky eggplant, red capsicum, and veggie lasagna or pizza.
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Food

Pizza

Grilled Meat

French Cuisine
Tastes

Earthy

Fruity
Moods

Contemplative

Relaxed
Seasons

Autumn

Spring
Recipe Matches
Wine region

Stellenbosch, South Africa
Stellenbosch is one of South Africa’s premier wine regions, located in the Western Cape, outside Cape Town. In South Africa, wine regions are known as winelands. Stellenbosch means ‘town of oaks’ and its winemaking dates back to the 17th century. The mountainous terrain, good rainfall, deep well-drained soils and diversity of terroirs make this a sought-after viticultural area. The wineland itself is known for high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay as well as the local speciality, Pinotage.
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