The Val de Vie Premium Red Blend is the flagship wine of this elite producer, strongly associated with the Olympic swimming champion, Ryk Neethling. Val de Vie means “Valley of Life” and is best known as an exclusive estate between Paarl and Franschhoek. The Val de Vie wines are produced in a 180-year-old cellar and was one of the highlights from a recent tasting.
In the glass, this wine offers a medium ruby red colour and a perfumed nose of red cherries, cherry cola, plums and spices. On the palate, it offers round tannins with the cherry cola, plums, red cherries and redcurrant against peppery spices. Hints of nutmeg come forward towards the finish which is fresh.
This wine is great on its own, but can work exceptionally well with a beef steak or a trinchado. It can be decanted, although not necessary. It is exceptional quality in a Rhône style for the price. I will highly recommend this wine.
Producer: Val de Vie
Variety: Shiraz 50%, Grenache 50%
Vintage: 2018
Origin: Paarl/Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Harold Versfeld
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 13.5%
RS: 2.61g/l
Average price: R250
Rating: 95/100

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