Cost: $12.95 (On sale for $11.95)
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan, Mourvèdre & Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Fairview Trust
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Immensely popular worldwide, this cheeky Rhône-style blend (Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan and Mourvèdre with a dash of the local Pinotage) has proven to be more than just a witty name. It’s a friendly, straightforward and fun wine featuring berry fruit and plum aromas with some pepper and leather in the background. A fantastic value and a great party wine! Lovely with rich meat-based pasta dishes.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby to purple with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose shows carnations, plums, blackberries, pomegranate, star anise, sandalwood, eucalyptus & cherry pie. The taste is rich showing similar notes as the nose with plums being dominant. Medium to medium+ body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: High alcohol that you can detect on the nose & taste.

Interesting Thing: The name is a take off Côte du Rhône and its style. Consistent year to year. Periodically the LCBO puts this wine on sale for $1 off.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lamb chops.

Tasted: 1 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Score: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 718940