The Liberator, Episode 34 “New Blood & Chocolate”, Cabernet/Shiraz 2020, Coastal Region, South Africa

About The Liberator: Beyond the periphery of South Africa’s conventional vineyard regions lie great vinous treasures, resigned to anonymity; forgotten, abandoned or just simply undiscovered. it is the mission of Rick, our intrepid Cape Crusader, to seek out and liberate these rare wines, consigning them to the table of the most inquisitive and discerning imbiber. Each episode represents a precious parcel that is both unique and finite.

on his regular jaunts around the Cape, seeing the number of great wines that are resigned to a tragic fate of being blended away or disposed of in bulk confounded Rick. It might be an occasional experimental batch, or possible an interesting off-cut from some proud winemakers latest premium release. Whatever their provenance, it’s Ricks mission as The Liberator to procure these precious vinous orphans and consign them to a better home.

Inevitably, each wine discovered by The Liberator comes with its own story; a tale of its untimely existence. Every release has its testimony recounted, in a bottle and on screen, as a unique and evocative episode.

Description: This wine is part of the superb parcels of wines “Liberated” by MW Richard Kelley. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon and 39% Shiraz. Followers of The Liberator will know the original as ‘Blood and Chocolate’ hence the prefix for the 2020 vintage. But the wine still comes from the same mature parcel near Paarl. Tons of black fruit, spice and oak. This is a very forward wine designed to please.

Alcohol: 14%