2016 Warp + Weft “Shweshwe” Red Blend, Swartland, South Africa
92 Points, Tasting Panel
Tasting Notes
This wine comes out of a long tradition of winemaking in South Africa that can be traced back to the first plantings in 1659, but reflects a quality of South African wine that is rarely seen in North America. Sourced from 30 year-old, dry-farmed, bush vines, this wine was produced in conjunction with the Basson family, who have been farming this estate in the Swartland for four generations.
The wine opens with complex but inviting aromas of graphite, black pepper and mulberry. The palate is rich and dynamic with flavors of Damson plum, kola nut, sassafras, tayberry, and Bing cherry. Silken but lengthy tannins carry the wine from start to finish, with notes of tobacco, oak and spiced vanilla.
Vineyard Notes
Located deep in the Swartland at the foot of the Pardeberg Mountains, the Basson Family Vineyard was first planted by Stephan Basson’s great grandfather in 1919. This vineyard represents a long tradition of winemaking in South Africa that can be traced back to the first plantings in 1659, boasting 30-year-old, dry-farmed, bush vines. The Shweshwe Red blend reflects a quality of South African wine that is rarely seen in North America. This wine was produced in conjuntion with the Basson family, who have been farming their estate in the Swarland for four generations.
Winemaker Notes
Winemaker Hal Landvoigt has traveled wine regions around the world, sourcing the finest grapes and cultivating a unique and unpretentious winemaking style. He was drawn to the Swartland because of the opportunities in viticulture that do not exist almost anywhere else in the world. As he tasted wines with the Basson family, sitting in the 100-year-old earth-bricked cellar that was built by Stephan’s great grandfather, he recognized that he was tasting history.
6x 2016 Warp + Weft “Shweshwe” Red Blend, Swartland, South Africa
Case:
12x 2016 Warp + Weft “Shweshwe” Red Blend, Swartland, South Africa
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $384/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Warp + Weft
Warp + Weft are the crossed threads that comprise a piece of fabric. This project is the result of the intersection of many different people and the idea that these interwoven “threads of life” can create something greater than the sum of the parts. Shweshwe is a traditional fabric produced in South Africa, considered the denim of the Western Cape. It’s durable, worn by everyone, and rooted in tradition.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2016 Warp + Weft South African Red Blend - $20 = 9.09%
Warp + Weft South African Red Blend
6 bottles for $109.99 $18.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Note that one entry in the first-post description has a typo “Swarland” – it IS Swartland.
Incidentally, Swartland was named for a type of plant that makes the hills appear black when viewed from a distance. For a moment I was concerned the name had something to do with South Africa’s troubling Apartheid history. (joking… or maybe not?) Luckily it was just about a plant…
South African wines have been… difficult?? Maybe people have heard of Pinotage, but regular blends?
I know a friend who did a vacation in SA, who told me there are some good wines locally, but what gets sent out of the country? This is a tough sell, since there is such a limited exposure in the US
@WkdPanda@winedavid49
In a recent poll, I did choose SA as a region I’d like to see more from. Gotta agree though, more that a single Rat and some additional help may be needed for this one.
The bottle opens with notes of blackberry and spice on the nose. The initial taste reveals this is not a PnP.
It’s very young in the bottle and needed about three hours to really reveal.
After giving this red blend a chance to get acquainted with the party, it opens up to you.
Pour a glass and admire the dark purple liquid with its long legs
Black currant, plum, rainier cherry deliver along with a silky mouthfeel leaving a finish of ripe raisin with a long tannic finish.
It accompanied and held up to a well seasoned pot roast and roasted vegetables and did not disappoint.
/giphy gleaming-colossal-jelly
I’ve had good luck with SA wines, so I’m imagining this as a mix of Goats do Roam and Mulderbosch Faithful Hound. In for six.
2016 Warp + Weft “Shweshwe” Red Blend, Swartland, South Africa
92 Points, Tasting Panel
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Winemaker Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $384/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, Oct 14 - Monday, Oct 18
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations).
2016 Warp + Weft South African Red Blend - $20 = 9.09%
Warp + Weft South African Red Blend
6 bottles for $109.99 $18.33/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2016 Warp + Weft South African Red Blend
Wine-searcher Info on the wine region.
Note that one entry in the first-post description has a typo “Swarland” – it IS Swartland.
Incidentally, Swartland was named for a type of plant that makes the hills appear black when viewed from a distance. For a moment I was concerned the name had something to do with South Africa’s troubling Apartheid history. (joking… or maybe not?) Luckily it was just about a plant…
South African wines have been… difficult?? Maybe people have heard of Pinotage, but regular blends?
I know a friend who did a vacation in SA, who told me there are some good wines locally, but what gets sent out of the country? This is a tough sell, since there is such a limited exposure in the US
@WkdPanda @winedavid49
In a recent poll, I did choose SA as a region I’d like to see more from. Gotta agree though, more that a single Rat and some additional help may be needed for this one.
The bottle opens with notes of blackberry and spice on the nose. The initial taste reveals this is not a PnP.
It’s very young in the bottle and needed about three hours to really reveal.
After giving this red blend a chance to get acquainted with the party, it opens up to you.
Pour a glass and admire the dark purple liquid with its long legs
Black currant, plum, rainier cherry deliver along with a silky mouthfeel leaving a finish of ripe raisin with a long tannic finish.
It accompanied and held up to a well seasoned pot roast and roasted vegetables and did not disappoint.
@a000612 Thank you for the report.
/giphy gleaming-colossal-jelly
I’ve had good luck with SA wines, so I’m imagining this as a mix of Goats do Roam and Mulderbosch Faithful Hound. In for six.
/giphy hard-foolish-airplane
/giphy maniacal-petulant-chestnut
Hey they have been farming the land for 4 generations you don’t find that in California sounds interesting.