The Alvi’s Drift Bismarck red blend from the Icon Albertus Viljoen range is an outstanding and exquisite blend from Alvi’s Drift. It is a red blend, made up of Shiraz, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Durif and Viognier – each component plays a significant role in making up a superb blend that is approachable, but complex and refined in every way. It is named after the Great Dane on the farm, that visitors encounter upon arriving at the farm.
In the glass, this wine shows a garnet colour. It is forthcoming on the nose with red fruit, black fruit, spices, vanilla and tobacco leaf. It delivers very well on the palate, with an elegant entry of coated tannins, a balanced mouthfeel, plums, blackberries, blueberries, red berries, sour cherries, mulberries, black pepper, grounded white pepper, fennel and vanilla pod. It lingers for long on the palate with fresh fruit and a sweet hint on the front of the palate.
This wine can be best enjoyed on its own, but it would be necessary to choose other wines in the same flight or on the same evening carefully, as this one will probably enchant guests the most. It can benefit from a slight chill, but it is not advised to decant this wine or swirl it too much in the glass, as finer nuances of the wine might be compromised. If enjoyed with food, it will be a great wine to go with any pasta, meat, chicken or even a chocolate dessert. It overdelivers for its price and is a phenomenal wine that everyone must try at some point. I highly recommend this wine!
Producer: Alvi’s Drift
Variety: Shiraz 39%, Pinotage 23%, Cabernet Sauvignon 16%, Grenache 9%, Petit Verdot 6%, Durif 4%, Viognier 3%
Vintage: 2018
Origin: Robertson, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Alvi van der Merwe
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.6%
RS: 4.7g/l
Average price: R350
Rating: 96/100

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