Spice Route Chakalaka 2019

Spice Route Chakalaka is deep ruby in colour. On the nose, aromas of clove and subtle white pepper mingle with juicy blackberry and plum fruit. Full-bodied and rich, the palate displays well-integrated oak and smooth, structured tannins. Chakalaka, a Zulu word that implies togetherness, refers to a South African blend of spices, used to add flavour to local dishes. This wine is inspired by the unique combination of flavours. Chakalaka is Spice Route's signature wine. It is a blend of six different grape varieties. The varieties: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Tannat were selected for their suitability to the Swartland’s dry growing conditions. Fruit for this wine is sourced from dry-farmed bush vines, planted on Richter 99 rootstock, which is known for producing deep rooted vines. The region’s deep iron-rich clay and decomposed granite soils have a good water retaining capacity and produce elegant and robust red wines. Charles Back was a pioneer in the Swartland when he started Spice Route in '98. “Without [Charles]…the Swartland would still be regarded as a rural backwater” wrote Tim Atkin. Today, the region is the source of many of South Africa’s outstanding wines, yet Spice Route remains one of the best and most credible producers in the region, due largely to the fact that they own their own vineyards. Spice Route’s 100 hectares of vineyards are situated in Malmesbury and Darling. The former, all bush trained on Malmesbury shale and red clay subsoils (the clay ensures the vineyards are dry grown), give the Grenache and Mourvèdre the intensity of fruit that makes this region so exciting. Winemaker Charl du Plessis has been with Charles for 15 years, and knows the region intimately. The winemaking is ‘hands off’, as Charl is keen to capture the flavours and structure of the outstanding fruit he has grown.