Fairview Goats Do Roam South Africa 2008

An inspired label that could have backfired if the wine was too far from its inspiration. Whew, it works. An earthy nose, cherry fruit and bacon notes, a little smoky, light mouthfeel and good acid.

First off, I have to say I decided to try this because I thought the clever play on Cotes du Rhone was entertaining enough to warrant trying the wine. Not too expensive in the price category either. The flavors here are fruit-forward with lush, ripe berry flavors. There is maybe a tiny hit of spice in the mix as well. The wine has a medium body with very easy, soft tannins. Personally, I could have gone for a little more spicy complexity and a little bit more of a tannic backbone, but I realize that is not for everyone. This is a very easy-drinking South African take on Rhone wines that I think could be a real crowd-pleaser and a good intro to Rhone grapes.

When trying this wine I tried to imagine it being a French Cotes du Rhone. This was a medium bodied wine that I felt did a good job mimicking the fruit flavors seen from the real deal. However you could tell the grapes came from younger vines and the wine on a whole felt young, lacking any complex tannins. Noted tastes of red berries and a distinct spiciness in the finish (perhaps black pepper). Very good way to get a feel for the real Cotes du Rhone without breaking the bank. I am very intrigued to try the other wines in their arsenal such as the Goat-Roti that hopefully will give me an impression of the wines of Côte-Rôtie without the $80+ price tag.

I was immediately interested in S. African wine from my first sip, That was almost 13 years ago when S. African wines were at best, questionable. This wine is user friendly, goes well with a vast array of food, or by itself with med-sharp cheese. Also if you are a lover of Rhone wines, the Cinsault begs to be noticed, complimenting the fickle Pinot Noir instead of overpowering. A great marriage of grapes, Step out of the mold and give S.A. wines a try. Pinotage is like Gewurtziminer, you love it or you don't!