Wine: Spice Route Chakalaka
Grapes: 37% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre, 18% Carignan, 10% Petite Syrah, 10% Grenache, 4% Tannat
Producer: Charles Back and the Spice Route Team
Vintage: 09'
Region: South Africa>Coastal Region>Swartland
Price: 17.00
Date tasted: 2/09/13
Place tasted: I was on my way home from the Zootown gym when I noticed Jesus working late. He was dancing around in the snow all dressed in his Statue of Liberty outfit and waving at the passing traffic. I waved back and smiled like I always do but my mind was focused on getting home to a quiet evening with a glass of wine, a good movie, and my faithful little feline companion. Life is good today, and so is wine.
Served with: Dulce de Leche & Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding. (If you're gonna have a chunk of this stuff you'd best have spent an hour on the treadmill first and skip dinner altogether...know what I mean?) Totally worth it.
Appearance: is that of a clear deep caramelized garnet that refracts purple light.
On the snoot: The fresh scent of wet earth, mineral and wood mixes with baking spice and berry to form a warm, inviting and gentle snoot.
Taste: The journey begins with plum, soft oak, and a little tart elderberry shadowed by rogue tannins that behave as if they were hiding from the law in an old western. Opens up nicely after some long deep breathing, don't we all? Finish lingers in a joyous wet kiss with delicate nuances of her musky exotic perfume.
Balance: Beautifully balanced. Viscus with rich meaty legs. High alcohol; low sugar; gentle acidity and medium tannin....a little less tannin than I expected but not disappointing.
Comments: There is something 'old attic' and 'antique shop' about the nature of this one that I really love. She is rich with wine wisdom if you can only let go of your own thoughts long enough to listen, taste, and enjoy the scent of her story.
In Other Comments:
Welcome Chinese Year of the Snake.
Ancient Chinese Saying....
One fish said to the other,
"Do you believe in this ocean that they all talk about?"
Rating: 3.8 tipsys
Note: artwork behind wine bottle is titled 'Play' by Will Barnet.
