“Jaaaa Bru?” is South African slang for “Yes, my brother?” and this is the warm way I get greeted every time I phone Alex Starey, the farmer who farms this vineyard. Jaaaa Bru, a 100% Malbec. It grows on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain - not facing the ocean as one might expect, but rather Stellenbosch, making these vineyards quite unique.

Single vineyard trellis Malbec - Blaauwklippen road - 254m above sea-level North East facing slope.

Winemaking: The grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were destemmed to open top fermenters. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation and stayed on the skins for as long as possible. Pressed into older French oak small barrels, 14 months in barrel, blended and bottled.

Tasting Notes: Fresh, elegant, and complex with a "crazy mouth" (Malbec translation) intensity. Dark chocolate, damson, orange peel, mint, and violets. Medium to full-bodied with soft tannins and high freshness. 

Food Pairing: Due to its structure, this Malbec pairs well with bold, protein-heavy dishes, including beef, lamb, and poultry. The wine's intensity matches well with a traditional South African braai, particularly grilled lamb chops or marinated steak, similar to the recommendations for other Stellenbosch reds. Consider pairing with rich, earthy dishes such as grilled Portobello mushrooms, creamy potato dishes, or rich stews.

ANALYSIS: ALC 14.5% | TA 5.1g/L | pH 3.59 | RS 1.2g/L