AA Badenhorst, The Curator Red, Swartland, South Africa 2020

Fairly simple cherry and redcurrant aromas lead to blackcurrants and plums in the mouth, with refreshing acidity and a line of bitterness on the back palate. The grapes were wholebunch pressed, which perhaps adds that greeness underneath the ripe fruit. A more structured, tannic wine than initially expected, with fairly noticeable alcohol, but that's not to say it doesn't have its place. One to enjoy with food at a more serious outdoor gathering, perhaps?

An accessible and great-value Cape blend, with enough chewy tannins to stand up to steak. Adi Badenhorst has blended Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz to combine blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry flavours, plus sweeter spun sugar straying into vanilla.