Out Of Africa - Two KWV Wines

Two KWV wines for an African-themed tasting

I have said before that South Africa lacks a clear oenological identity - for an Out Of Africa tasting, I brought along two award-winning KWV varietal wines from their Mentors range.

Varietal PV is unusual - it is more commonly a blending wine for adding spice and fullness; this PV is well-made and shows typical effusiveness, but would benefit from a little more contrast.

The Cab Franc is the more interesting of the two, with varietal raspberry leaf and good freshness.

KWV Mentors Petit Verdot 2014 (Ocado £14.95) pencil shavings, flowers and herbs with mocha and sweet spice; rich and juicy with fruit sweetness.

Match with lamb shanks or T-Bone steak on the BBQ.

KWV Mentors Cabernet Franc 2013 (Ocado, £14.95) complex oaky spice, dark juicy-jammy cherry and raspberry fruit with porty fynbos (aka garrigue herbs) and cool mint; dense and grippy. Long and substantial.

Good.

Match with meaty ravioli, lamb with honey and thyme, spicy stews.