A Paisley Bear Adventure Through the Rolling Rhone – Without the Passport Control.

Welcome, intrepid wine wanderer, to the Rhone style Red Edition – a carefully curated duet of wines that pays homage to the sun-drenched vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley, but with a delightful South African twist. Expect all the spice, all the swagger, and a touch of mischief.
In this edition, we explore two Rhone-style reds that will romance your senses and possibly convince your socks to leave your feet voluntarily.

The Selection

1. Spier Creative Block 3 2021

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Varietals

94% Shiraz / 4% Mourvèdre / 2% Viognier

Vineyard Location & Terroir

Rooted in decomposed granite with clay-kissed subsoils near the Helderberg, these 11–17-year-old vines enjoy cool Atlantic breezes that slow ripening and build elegance. The 2021 season brought gentle weather and a splash of spring rain, setting the stage for a generous fruit set. With careful canopy choreography and spot-on harvest timing, the fruit ripened beautifully—delivering balanced, vibrant flavours at delightfully modest sugar levels.

Nose

A heady bouquet of black cherries, violets (thanks Viognier, you show-off), crushed peppercorns, and the faintest echo of smoked meat from a distant French picnic you were almost invited to.

Palate

Rich and velvety with layers of ripe plum, blackberry compote, cracked black pepper, and a flirtation of dark chocolate. Silky tannins pirouette through the mid-palate before exiting stage left with a spicy curtain call.

Ageing Potential

Drink now with great pleasure or let it slumber peacefully for 5-7 years if you have the patience (or if you forget it’s in your wine rack).

Food Pairing

Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, charcuterie boards that groan under the weight of their deliciousness, or a mushroom risotto that doesn’t know how lucky it is to meet this wine.

2. Quest Two 2022 – Rhone Style Blend

Coastal Region, South Africa

Varietals

70% Shiraz and 30% Mouvèdre.

Vineyard Location & Terroir

The grapes for Quest Two 2022 are gathered like treasures from across the Western Cape—Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Swartland, and Darling— each vineyard offering its own special magic. DTK Wines seeks out these characterful corners for their distinct voices in the blend, crafting a wine that reads like a love letter to the Cape’s diverse terroir. Every bottle is a journey through sun, soil, and sea breeze—woven together into one harmonious quest.

Nose

Bright raspberries leap from the glass, followed by seductive notes of liquorice, dried herbs, and that faint, irresistible smell of a leather-bound adventure novel.

Palate

Juicy red berries, a sprinkle of white pepper, and a savoury umami depth that wraps around your tastebuds like a soft cashmere scarf. A lively, medium-bodied wine that balances ripeness with verve – it’s both charming and refreshingly down to earth.

Ageing Potential

A splendid drop to enjoy over the next 3-5 years, though immediate gratification is strongly recommended.

Food Pairing

Perfect with pizza (especially with wild mushrooms or nduja), slow-cooked beef stew, or a simple plate of grilled aubergines drizzled in olive oil and arrogance.

3. JAN Red Blend 2022

Western Cape, South Africa

Varietals

78% Syrah 18% Grenache 4% Mourvèdre

Vineyard Location & Terroir

Tucked into southwesterly and westerly slopes between 100 and 200 metres above sea level, these vineyards bask in golden afternoon light and cool coastal whispers. The Shiraz and Grenache vines, known for their wild-hearted growth, are gently tamed along seven-wire trellis hedges—like dancers held in perfect form. Pruned to two-bud spurs with 16–18 bearers per metre, each row is a lesson in balance and intention. All of this unfolds under the proud banner of Wine of Origin Stellenbosch, where the land and the vine move in elegant rhythm.

Nose

Aromas of ripe blackberries, sun-dried cherries, and a flicker of cigar box nostalgia. There’s a hint of spice lingering in the background, like someone telling you a secret mid-haircut — warm, intriguing, and slightly unexpected.

Palate

Medium to full-bodied with a velvet-soft entry. Think dark plum, juicy currants, and a whisper of cocoa nibs. Polished tannins glide smoothly across the palate, accompanied by a subtle oak toastiness that lingers like a well-timed compliment.

Ageing Potential

Enjoy now while it’s fresh and expressive, or cellar for 3–5 years if you want to see its more contemplative side.

Food Pairing

Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, wood-fired margherita pizza with charred crust, or a solo night in with a slow-cooked lentil stew and zero plans to share.

About Rhone Style Reds & The Regional Method

Rhône-style reds are all about blending – taking individual grape varietals with their own quirks and combining them into something greater than the sum of their parts (much like your group chat, minus the unsolicited memes).

South African winemakers, particularly those along the Cape’s Coastal regions and Stellenbosch, have lovingly adopted the Rhône philosophy, using minimal intervention, often fermenting with wild yeasts and embracing whole bunch pressing to preserve freshness and enhance those peppery, herbal notes. Many vineyards favour dryland farming, encouraging vines to struggle just enough to produce smaller, flavour-packed berries that deliver that unmistakable Rhône-style punch.

Why You’ll Love It

The Paisley Bear Wine Club’s Rhone Style Red Edition is a rollicking ride through ripe berries, spice markets, and elegant earthy undertones – perfect for anyone seeking adventure in their glass and a chuckle in their heart.

Join us, sip boldly, and remember: life’s too short for boring blends.