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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.

The Wolftrap Boekenhoutskloof Red Wine 2004

Here is another bargain just in, a Vineyard Brands South African import. I tasted it months ago, but it just arrived and I have tasted it from two new bottles this week. This red is made by Boekenhoutskloof, with grapes from the Western Cape Region. It is a blend of 47% Merlot, 14% Grenache Noir, 14% Malbec, 12% Syrah, 8% Ruby Cabernet, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cinsault, French oak aged. Robust unsweet dark fruit and dark smoky roasted coffee and cocoa bean aromas dominate. The wine is dry and tart, but juicy in the mouth, with smooth medium tannins. The finish is nice and reverberates fruit.

We tasted it with Grilled Chipotle Shrimp, and then again with a Buffalo Burger on Ezekial bread, as well as by itself.

The closure is a screw cap.

At $10, this is a really nice deal on a South African red blend.

Fairview Goats do Roam in Villages 2004

We posted the 2003 vintage of this Fairview wine, imported by Vineyard Brands, back on 2-24-05.

The 2004 arrived a week ago. This is a blend of Shiraz and Pinotage. This year's has the aroma of a smoky, spicy, dark fruit bomb, with nuances of oak and briar. The palate is tart, fruity, mouthwatering, and unsweet. The finish is tart, dry, and persistent. The closure is genuine cork. (A screw cap would be an improvement). At (Nashville price) $14, this is easy to recommend for drinking now. We paired it with an Italian dish: Buffalo Marinara Penne Pasta. It would also be outstanding with Barbecue Brisket, Barbecue Shrimp, or a Marinated Grilled Flank Steak.

Goats do Roam in Villages 2003

This blend of Shiraz and Pinotage is from the Coastal Region of South Africa, and produced by the goat-friendly folks at Fairview. We were lucky to get a bottle of this wine, because it sold out very quickly at Frugal MacDoogal in Nashville. This would be an excellent wine for anything barbeque-like, or anything off the grill. Dark fruit, roasted notes, and smoky notes, are all integrated into this wine, which is chewy for its price. The closure is a real cork. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, rated the wine 90 points: “Solid, modern-style wine here, with dark, racy blackberry and boysenberry fruit, ample toast and cocoa notes, and a long, plush, fruit-filled finish. Solid acidity keeps it all honest too. Delicious. Drink now through 2006. 12,000 cases made. (Feb 28, 2005)” At $13.99 retail (Nashville), this is a wine worth buying if you can find it. Enjoy a great glass of South Africa at a great price.