Uncomplicated and full of lush fruit, Sebeka makes for a perfect introduction to South African wine. What, you didn’t know they had wine in South Africa? They do, and it’s generally pretty good.

Sebeka’s Cape Blend is 60% Shiraz and 40% Pinotage, a grape bred in the ’20s  as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault that has a characteristic smokiness to it. Here the spiciness of the Shiraz takes the forefront, though there’s plenty of that smoky character here to give Sebeka a really unique flavor, yet it’s so full of bright berry fruit that the smokiness isn’t overpowering, just a mild tobacco note that laces through an otherwise very straightforward quaff.

I did a double-take when I saw the price. List is $11. It’s available in my BevMo for a whopping $5.99. Grab a case immediately and tell your friends it cost $30 a bottle.

A- / $6 / sebekawines.com

2006 Sebeka "Cape Blend" Shiraz Pinotage

$6

9

Rating

9.0/10

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