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Writer's pictureJaco Meyer

Niel Joubert Reserve Tempranillo 2020

The Niel Joubert Reserve Tempranillo was one of the wines that I presented at an “Around the World” tasting of unusual grape varieties for South Africa – Tempranillo is one of them. Although it is an unusual grape variety, it was received extremely well and by far the favourite red wine for the day. More than half of the attendees now have (or had) a bottle of Reserve Tempranillo from Niel Joubert on their wine shelves. It is a really fantastic wine that will please any red wine lover.


In the glass, this wine has a medium ruby to garnet colour with a slightly lighter rim. On the nose, it offers notes of dark fruit and chocolate with hints of herbs. It is a medium-bodied dry wine with a soft entry of plums, dark cherries, dried figs and tobacco leaf. A hint of clay minerality is evident in the background with hints of cedar, coming from the 60% of the wine that was matured in new French oak barrels for 16 months. It is balanced well on the palate with much fruit, good oak integration, perfect acidity and fine tannins. This wine finishes with a delicate aftertaste of dill and tomato.


This wine can be enjoyed on its own or with food. It will pair well with a steak or lasagne. It will benefit from a short decanting time (about 30 minutes) and it should be served slightly chilled. This wine has the potential to develop in the cellar for 5-7 years but can also be enjoyed now. Tempranillo is a major red variety in Spain, best-known as the base wine for the world-famous Rioja blend. Only a few producers in South Africa have Tempranillo on offer. This is certainly a wine with which you can impress friends at an affordable price.


Producer: Niel Joubert

Variety: Tempranillo 100%

Vintage: 2020

Origin:Paarl , Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Erni Leicht

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 14.0%

RS:2.8 g/l

Average price: R170

Rating: 93/100






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