No pedigree, just personality.

Straatbrak is a wonderfully unconventional Swartland red born from an experimental harvest project by RVWC. The grapes were sourced from lesser-known cultivars planted near Riebeek West as part of a research project exploring drought resistance. Rather than treating each variety separately, the red cultivars were harvested together as a field blend, bringing Barbera, Carignan, Durif, Marselan, Tannat and Tempranillo into one distinctive wine.

The grapes were destemmed and fermented naturally with wild yeast in an open-top fermenter before being pressed and aged for eight months in three older French oak barrels. The result is a charming, untamed red with plenty of personality, combining dark fruit, savoury character and rustic complexity. As the winemakers describe it, Straatbrak is a little like a scruffy street dog with a questionable family tree, soulful eyes and a heart of gold.

Tasting notes: Expect generous dark and red fruit alongside earthy, savoury nuances and a gently rustic edge. The wild fermentation and unusual field blend give the wine plenty of character, while time in older French oak adds subtle spice and texture without overpowering the fruit. Medium-bodied, juicy and wonderfully individual, this is a red that rewards curiosity.

Food pairing: A versatile, characterful red that works beautifully with rustic and flavourful dishes. Slow-Cooked Lamb: The wine’s dark fruit and savoury character complement tender lamb cooked with herbs and spices. Chargrilled Sausages: Smoky, grilled flavours bring out Straatbrak’s earthy, rustic side. Mushroom & Lentil Ragù: Earthy mushrooms and savoury lentils mirror the wine’s wild, savoury character. Beef Short Rib: Rich, slow-cooked beef brings out the wine’s darker fruit and rounded texture.

Don’t let the sentimental label put you off, because this is one of the most seriously enticing offerings I’ve tasted to date from the Riebeek Valley Wine Co. An adventurous blend of Barbera, Carignan, Durif, Marselan, Tannat and Tempranillo, these are all the champion cultivars of Europe’s dryer warm climate regions thrown into one stunning blend. The logo on the label sums up the wine perfectly… “no pedigree, just personality” and boy does this wine have personality! First tasted slightly chilled, the aromatics burst with a complex medley of red and black berry fruits, plum spice, black currant compote and lovely wild bramble and hedgerow nuances. The palate is pure, pinpoint and deliciously precise with linear crisp acids, a bright fluid palate with powdery silky tannins supported by mouth-wateringly tangy acids. Perfectly assembled, beautifully characterful, but impressively intense, pure and focused with genuine winemaking prowess. One of the most exciting and juicy wines I’ve tasted all year from the Cape! This is a must try wine, served preferably lightly chilled. Drink now to 2034+.  95/100 Greg Sherwood MW

ANALYSIS: ALC 13.5% | TA 5.3 g/L | pH 3.47 | RS 2.4 g/L