Mourvedre

A fine pale-coloured rosé with delicate aromas of pomegranates and raspberry and a distinctive flintiness. There’s finesse and elegance on the palate with flavours of soft red fruits, a gentle silky texture and a lingering fresh acidity on the finish.

If you ask someone what is their favourite wine, most would mention a red or a white. Very few would give a rosé. But, (for us) South Africa has taken the 'common' rosé and turned it into an art form. 

Such a delicate and perfumed rosé. Take a bit of sophisticated Provence rosé, give it a little hint of international dynamic, a little bit of relaxed "take me as I am" S'African personality and the result is this deliciously drinkable rosé from Stellenbosch.

Country: South Africa

Region: Schapenberg, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Mourvedre

ABV: 13%

Biodynamic and Organic

Waterkloof Wines

Winemaker Nadia Barnard:

In October 2022 Penny had the great pleasure of visiting Waterkloof Estate on the slopes of the Schapenberg, Stellenbosch with a few colleagues from the UK wine trade. They spent the good part of two days being driven around this beautiful, sustainably managed piece of land by winemaker, Nadia Barnard. All of the vineyards on the estate are farmed following organic and biological principles. Here at Cellar Door Wines we've always been huge fans of Waterkloof wines. It is always lovely to taste Nadia's wines in Saint Albans, but to be able to do so at Waterkloof, with the woman herself, was extra special. Tasting wine at the place of its birth explains the why and the how of its individuality. The people behind the vineyard and winery are also key components in the equation. The Cape and Waterkloof has such diversity of wine style with a great price quality ratio.

A serious rosé with a strong personality.

Beautiful pale salmon colour with an appealing lemon and herb nose followed by flavours of warm southern French herbs with rich, rounded fruit.  Very much a food wine with a powerful character and a delicious dry finish.

Country: France

Region: Provence

Grapes:  65% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 15% Cinsault

ABV: 14%

Organic

Vegan/Vegetarian

Domaine Lafran Veyrolles is an estate with a superb terroir and is widely recognised as one of the top three producers in the appellation. Jean-Marie Castell runs this small, traditional estate with just 10 ha of vines on the famous red clay soil of Bandol.  The estate nestles in and is protected by the hills of the Cadière d'Azur and benefits from a maritime climate. The estate is farmed organically and the yields are kept extremely low. Domaine Lafran Veyrolles reds have made it one of the star performers of the appellation … but don’t overlook the rosé wines as they deserve attention too!

In the early 1990s, Magpie identified this special site - a single vineyard of Grenache and Mourvèdre. After an olympic blending exercise one night with the wine from here, they name the vineyard 'Clovella'. This wine is a heady embrace of dark spice; it's no coincidence that there’s a distinct clove note in this wine. Bright, fresh, textural in spite of 22 months ageing in older French oak. Soft, moreish and foody.

Country: Australia

Region: Barossa

Grapes: Grenache 60% , Mataro 40%

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Slow cooked lamb shanks or Fillet of Beef for a special occasion.

The label design inspiration is all about the meeting of mouths, that energy before lips meet, whether meeting a glass of wine or each other. Two varieties blending into one....

This is a traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape serious and brooding and benefits from a little time to breath and open up. The palate is complex with herby, tapenade flavours and ripe textured tannins balancing the significant 15% alcohol which is expertly managed and integrated.

Country: France

Region: Châteauneuf - du-Pape

ABV: 15%

Grapes: Grenache 65%, Syrah 20%, Mourvedre 10%

In addition to the black and red fruits also found on the nose there is a complex flavour of sweet spice and minerality followed by a fresh finish.

Country: France

Region: Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Grapes: Carignan, Mourvèdre,  Grenache Noir, Syrah

ABV: 13.5%

Food match: Great with grilled meats and tomato based pasta dishes

Domaine Les Caizergues 

Old bush vine Cinsault forms the backbone of this 'proper' rosé. A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a lovely clean, savoury, dry finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cinsault 85% , Mourvèdre 15%

ABV: 12%

Vegan. The wine is left on lees for a minimum of three months before bottling.

Food pairing: There is almost no food that fails to work with this wine. Perfect with Mediterranean dishes especially juicy pan-fried garlic prawns... or drink chilled on its own.

This dry rose from South Africa is bursting with cool raspberry flavours alongside strawberry and even a hint of thyme. Provence style but packed with more flavour and a summer tang.

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl, Western Cape

Grapes: Mourvedre

ABV: 13%

Food Pairing: Plaice and buttered new potatoes 

Delicious notes of red berry fruit enhanced by underlying freshness and perfectly balanced acidity.

Country: France

Region: Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Grapes: 50% Mourvèdre, 50% Grenache Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Food match: On its own s an aperitif or with chocolate or fruit based desserts

Domaine Les Caizergues

Complex, concentrated and elegant with aromas of black and red fruits alongside hints of vanilla and pepper.

Country: France

Region: Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Grapes: Grenache (45%); Syrah (40%); Carignan (10%); Mourvedre (5%)

ABV: 14%

Food match: Côte de boeuf

Domaine Les Caizergues

The wine is named in memory of Francois Traucat, the celebrated 16th century Nimes gardener, who was responsible for the intensive cultivation of the mulberry tree across the Languedoc and thus the expansion of sericulture in the region.

A delicious rich and ripe red made in a Rhone Valley style. Very juicy and full of red and black fruit characters, notes of herbs and some sweet spice with a lengthy finish.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre

ABV: 14.5%

Food match: Roast lamb or lamb tagine with Mediterranean grilled vegetables

The nose has rich plum and blackcurrant pastille characters, with delicate vanilla, spice and cedars. The palate is ripe, smooth and opulent with layers of pure blackcurrant, juicy blackberry, lush spicy plum and cherry fruit, minerality and complex, fine tannins on the finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Jumilla

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Monastrell

A juicy fruit-forward blend of Shiraz & Mourvèdre, with layered aromas of black cherry compote and sun-ripened raspberry. The palate is vibrant and finely poised, weaving rich dark fruit with a delicate floral nuance and a velvety, seamless texture.

Country: South Africa

Region: W.O. coastal region

Grapes: Shiraz / Mourvedre

ABV: 13.5%