After a long wait, Avontuur was happy to present the new Baccarat 2014 to wine lovers early in June. The ninth release of this family-owned Stellenbosch Estate’s Bordeaux-style red blend was quickly snapped up by on-line shoppers and local visitors to the Estate’s tasting room, with positive comments received from fans.
The final decision about the specific components of the blend is always up to the winemaker and in this case Jan van Rooyen had some interesting facts to share; “The current 2014 vintage is Merlot driven at 49% (and two previous ones, from 2010 and 2009 were also, respectively 56% and 51%). Interestingly, the first 4 were all Cab Sauv driven: 2000 – 60%; 2001 – 58%; 2004 – 70% and 2005 – 50%. Two others were Cab Franc driven: 2008 – 57% and 2012 – 39%”
With the addition of Pinot Verdot for the second time, the blend is becoming ever more complex and this Merlot-driven vintage is packed with red fruit, wonderful ripe plum, a soft whiff of leather and cigar box from 24 months in french oak and some minerality on the nose and palate.
Jan feels that the wine will drink optimally until 2024 and as only 7800 bottles were produced it’s a good idea to grab a case or two to drink now and keep. Father’s Day on Sunday will also be a perfect opportunity to treat yourself or Dad with this Avontuur stalwart, especially paired with a robust red meat dish.
The Estate Tasting Room and the online shop at https://shop.avontuurestate.co.za/ both offer a discounted 20% off price point until the end of June, which makes it easier to stock up on this well-balanced and made-to-age South African red. The normal price is R320 per bottle, but if you buy a case of 6, the price with the discount is R1536.00, a saving of nearly R400.
The Tasting Room is open according to Level 3 restrictions at the moment ie Monday to Thursday from 09h00-17h00, only for sales with no tastings allowed. (The Estate is closed on the public holiday on 16 June.)
