Paul Roos The Filantroop 2014

Paul Roos Wine is an empowerment project of the Roos family on Rust en Vrede near Stellenbosch. Rugby legend and educator Paul Roos was born here and is best known as captain of the first South African Rugby team to tour Britain in 1906 and named them ‘Die Springbokken’. He also became rector of the well-known Stellenbosch boys’ school, which was later named in his honour: Paul Roos Gymnasium.” The grapes are grown on the Rust en Vrede farm and the wines are handcrafted using natural yeast and French oak barrels. Only the wines from selected barrels are used in the final blends. 60% Shiraz plus equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage. Spontaneous fermentation in open 600-litre barrels, maturation involving only 25% new oak. Red and black berries plus some darker, more earthy notes on nose and palate. Luscious fruit and a dense mid-palate. Not short of freshness, however, and the tannins are wonderfully fine, extraction well judged.