Swerwer Red Blend 2020

I have presented several Swerwer wines at tastings before and I am always satisfied with these wines because they make a good impression on the people who tasted them. Therefore, I am always keen to open a bottle of Swerwer. However, when I tasted the Swerwer red blend for the first time, I immediately regretted choosing this wine for a tasting. I would have rather wanted to undermine the bottles and keep them to myself because they were almost too good to share with others – haha!

The first, and most striking thing is that this blend is made from three grape varieties that are each strongly associated with a specific country: France, Spain and Portugal. And these three varieties are planted in South Africa and blended to make the Swerwer red blend. The second striking thing is the colour of the wine. It is a bright red colour, almost like a young Pinot Noir, or then raspberry juice if you like. Then you smell it... A very complex wine with red fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, cherries, plums, some black fruits and spices. It jumps out of the glass. And then you taste it. This wine is extremely smooth, well-rounded tannins, balanced on the palate, it over-delivers on fruitiness and spiciness, and tantalise your tastebuds for a long time. It has a smooth finish and lingers for a good time with great freshness.

This was one of those moments in presenting a tasting where my breath was taken and I had that great feeling down my spine! That was the Swerwer red blend. And, of course, everyone wanted to know: where do I buy it? This wine is available from Partners in Wine and it is a wine that you do not want to miss. It comes at a great price for the quality you get and is the right wine for all occasions: from easy drinking to something a bit more serious to pair with your food. A standing ovation to Jasper Wickens for a wine that takes your breath away!

Producer: Swerwer

Variety: Cinsault, Grenache, Tinta Barocca

Vintage: 2020

Origin: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Jasper Wickens

Closure: Natural Cork

Alcohol: 13.2%

RS: 2.0g/l

Average price: R250

Rating: 95/100