A balanced, complex South African red blend at a tremendously good price…
Name: Glenelly Grand Vin
Vintage: 2010
Producer: Glenelly Estate
Region/Country: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape Varietal(s): Syrah (36%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Merlot (20%), Petit Verdot (10%)
Consumed: At home
Recommended By: The last chance bin at the LCBO (though other locations, especially in the Greater Toronto Area, seem to have a lot of it still available)
Cost: $19.95 CAD
Bottle Presentation: A classy, traditional label, although the cursive font might be a little challenging to read.
Appearance: Deep garnet.
Nose: A medium-to-pronounced nose, with a mix of red fruit (cherry and raspberry), dark fruit (blueberry), leather, grilled steak, iron, mocha, vanilla, cedar, and toasty notes.
Taste: A dry, full-bodied red blend, with medium-high acidity and high, drying tannins. Dark plums emerged in the mouth, as did earth, graphite, and chalk.
Finish: Enduring earthy notes.
Overall Impression: We were pleasantly surprised by this complex, structured, and balanced red blend from the Stellenbosch region in South Africa. The wine, billed as a South African expression of a Bordeaux blend, had plenty to offer, especially in the nose. The big, bold nature of this offering merits a food pairing with similar qualities, including steak topped with melted gorgonzola cheese, raclette, or game meats, such as bison. At less than $20 CAD per bottle, this wine represents tremendous value. We were so impressed, we purchased a couple of additional bottles to cellar. The wine’s acidity should help it cellar well for 5 years at least.
Rating (from 70 to 100): 92/100
Value: 4.5/5