Goats Do Roam Red 2005

Goats Do Roam Red was the first of this namesake casual wine company's offerings created by Charles Back in 1999. The venerable owner/vintner of Fairview has built his Goat symbol into the single best-selling South African wine label in the U.S.

Here is a great example of using a "critter" to weave together a wine, winery and wine region's story in a way that resonates with consumers. Long story short, the goats that live in the tower are let out into the vineyards and find the sweetest grapes. The humble goat, likeable to all and a worldly beast, is believable. And the name is among the cleverest in the field, Back's play on Côte du Rhône.

"The grapes are vinified in Fairview’s cellar in Paarl by Charles Back and resident winemaker Anthony de Jager, also responsible for the Fairview range." The blend is heavy on the Shiraz and Pinotage, with Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Merlot, Carignan, Gamay and Cabernet added to give it a unique "Western Cape field blend" style; a lovely patchwork quilt of grapes.

Most of the fruit comes from dry farmed old bush vines in and around Paarl and Malmesbury. A smidgen of oak seasoning is provided prior to blending the individual lots.

Excellent value ($10). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14%.

Style: Fruit forward, low tannins, with easy spice.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep ruby translucent. Aromas: Plum, pomegranate, cinnamon and bacon. Light to medium bodied and tangy sweet and sour on the palate, the red purple fruit and barbecue-esque flavors are warming in the easy dry finish.

Comment: You could say it has a Pinot Noir body and a Syrah personality. Try it with Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Comments

[John]

Goatsdoroam.com lists the blend as 90% Shiraz, 6.5% Pinotage and 3.5% Mourvédre. This leaves little room for the other grapes you listed.

[Baliquez]

Shiraz, pinotage and cinsault. I had found these notes in its scent, layered:
Top notes, high spectrum: camphor, peppermint, aniseed,licorice. Mid-body: burnt tyre, medium roasted coffe. Low level: dried plum, dried sour cherry, dried banana - latter can be found in some other South African wine too. Nonanimalistic (no bacon or leather or duck-fat I found), so I cant agree with the Pinot Noir parallel. I felt the taste a bit unsurprising compared to its fine scent.
My empty glass had a slight walnut smell after it. I like this wine, good price/feature ratio.