November 2023
Paisley Bear start of summer special edition
![](https://api.winewizard.co.za/photos//files/l29UUmY7fC-plaisir-de-merle.jpg)
Grand Brut
Vintage: NV
Winery: Plaisir De Merle
Wine Maker: Fred Fismer
Winery Location: Simondium
Varietal(s): 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
Vivino Score: 3.9/5.00
Retail Price: R225.00
Notes in the wine:
- The fine persistent mousse displays aromas of pear, Granny Smith apples, citrus and light yeasty notes.
- The Chardonnay imparts citrus, stone fruit and tropical nuances whilst the Pinot Noir provides notes of sweet glazed red cherries. It has a long, lingering, crisp, fresh finish
Food pairing: Indulge yourself… oysters, freshly shucked.
Rose of Sharon MCC
Vintage: 2011
Winery: Domaine Des Dieux
Winemaker: Megan Mullis
Winery Location: Hemel en Aarde Valley
Varietal(s): 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay
Vivino Score: 4.00/5.00
Retail Price: R270.00
- Strawberry, black cherry and raspberry notes jump out of the glass with a hint of rose water in the background. The mousse is fine, and soft, with a rich, generous attack developing beautifully in the mouth into a clean, dry finish.
- When making this Brut Rosé the saignée method was used to achieve it’s colour.
- The tantalizing balance and generosity of fruit makes this a great apéritif and food wine.
Food pairing: wild mushrooms and parmesan on fried bread.
Cabernet Franc Rosé
Vintage: 2023
![](https://swirlwines.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/rose-3.png)
Winery: Delaire Graaf
Winemaker: Morné Vrey
Winery Location: Stellenbosch
Varietal(s): 100% Cabernet Franc
Vivino Score: 4.0/5.00
Retail Price: R180.00
- This exceptional rosé displays flavours of freshly crushed berries and candy floss with a slightly minty nose.
- With a richly textured palate and crisp, balanced acidity, it presents a full dry finish.
- Grapes were handpicked in the cool early hours of the South African morning from selected vineyards across Stellenbosch, with the majority grown on the magnificent Simonsberg and Helderberg mountain ranges
Food pairing: An ideal wine to drink with a salade Niçoise
![](https://kenforresterwines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ken-Forrester-Full-colour-logosq-thegem-blog-timeline-large.jpg)
Silver Rose
Vintage: 2023
Winery: Ken Forrester
Winemaker: Ken Forrester
Winery Location: Stellenbosch
Varietal(s): 100% Grenache
Vivino Score: 3.80/5.00
Retail Price: R225.00
Notes on the wine: T
- With a soft pink hue and red fruit flavours such as, strawberry, pomegranate and red berry fruit, for the last few years Ken Forrester has been experimenting with the single vineyard rosé from Grenache.
- The intent was a delightful, softly pink, elegant fruit focused wine but it had to have structure and body and a long finish on the palate – all of this almost contrary to the fact that you press the grape gently and drain off just the freshest “free-run juice” with little or no chance of getting tannins or structure from the skins!
Food pairing: Seafood and chorizo paella
The J
Vintage: 2023
![](https://shop.stonybrook.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/The-J.png)
Winery: Stony Brook
Winemaker: Craig McNaught
Winery Location: Franschhoek
Varietal(s): 56% Chardonnay, 38% Viognier and 6% Semillon.
Vivino Score: 3.90/ 5.00
Retail Price: R140.00
- The Chardonnay and Semillon components were barrel fermented, adding richness and depth, while the Viognier was fermented and matured in stainless steel, preserving the grape’s natural, wild aromatics.
- Lime and stone fruit abound on the nose, with supremely concentrated and rich, almost pithy density in the mouth.
- Each variety plays a key role in producing a wine that is both complex and vibrant.
Food pairing: Hearty vegetarian fare of haloumi, harissa roast veg, and chickpeas served on couscous.
Pinot Noir On Sandstone Soils
Vintage: 2019
Winery: Catherin Marshall
Winery Location: Elgin
Winemaker: Catherine Marshall
Varietal(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Vivino Score: 3.90/5.00
Retail Price: R270.00
Notes on Wine:
- Fresh pomegranate jewels, cranberry and red cherry top notes with underlying ferrous savoury aromatics. Mouth filling red fruit supported by dry, suedey tannins for texture and complexity.
- Emphasis is on maximizing layered flavor spectrums balanced with seamless tannin extraction.
Food pairing: Wild mushroom risotto