Cape Doctor, THE RED, Journey’s End

• Vintage: 2016
  
• Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa
  
• Varietal Blend: 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
• Taste guide: Powerful ripe fruit is lush and fleshy on both the nose and palate, with lots of ripe cassis and backed by dark chocolate. Eucalyptus, green peppery herbal spice and underlying mintiness. Voluptuously rich with good length. Oak aged for 22 months in French Oak Barrels.
• Food match: Venison, hearty stews, juicy steaks, gourmet burgers or ribs really fit the bill here. Or if you'r not a meat eater try with grilled portabello mushrooms.
• Drinking well now but one that can cellar up to 2027.
• 75cl - 14.5% - Natural Cork Opening

The Cape Doctor is the local name for the strong south-eastern wind that blows from False Bay and funnels through to Cape Town and Blouberg. The Doctor works his magic by blowing away smog and impurities, clearing the skies and making way for some fresh sea air.

Because it can play havoc with the vines at flowering, it is often cited as a negative factor for winemakers. At Journey’s End, though, it has a beneficial effect of long ripening periods for the grapes, which produces concentrated berries with fantastically firm acidity. It also minimises the risk of any fungal diseases on the vines (just try spawning in a 65KMpH wind!).

This is one of the top Journey's End red wines coming from a single very low yielding block which consistently produces concentrated, high quality grapes. The wine is named after a strong wind called the Cape Doctor that blows in from False Bay which benefits the Journey's End vineyards by extending the ripening period leading to concentrated flavours and great, balanced, natural acidity. As mentioned above, the 2016 is a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec. Big and deep in the glass with rich, dark fruit and cassis notes with touches of cinnamon and nutmeg spices. The body is big and smooth with ripe tannins and that balanced acidity finished with a long length.

£24-£34 at reliable and trustworthy UK wine merchants like Tanners and Noble, just over £20 here.