RECM best value red blends

Spare a thought for RECM best value taster Tom Magara. This morning he tasted 59 Cabernets for Classic Wine magazine. This afternoon he tasted 70 red blends making a total of 129 wines today. A tough job which somebody has to do.

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The top six best value red blends are:

Secret Cellar Red Blend 2008: Mourvedre/Carignan/Cinsaut/Grenache price R29.99 value R193.89 score 15.80
Cloof Duckitt 2011: Cabernet Franc/ Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot price R50.00 value R261.70 score 15.90
Solms Astor Langarm 2012: Pinotage/Touriga Nacionale/Shiraz/ Grenache Noir/Mourvedre price R55.00 value R265.93 score 16.00
Slanghoek Vinay Smooth Blended Red price R28.50 value R108.45 score 15.20
Perdeberg Winery The Dryland Collection Joseph’s Legacy 2010: Shiraz, Petit Verdot & Cabernet Sauvignon Blend price R70.00 value R242.08 score 15.90
Bonnievale Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2013 price R42.00 value R129.26 score 15.40

which showcases a broad variety of terroirs: Darling, Franschhoek, Worcester, Voor Paardeberg and Robertson. Six wines, six different appellations. Six wines, six different vintages: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and NV. Of course the best value of all from Ultra Liquors, the Secret Cellar 2008, has its origin declared as the catch-all “Western Cape.” I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Mark Norrish for the identity of the secret producer. But if he tells you, he’ll then have to kill you.