While the importance of family is hardly anything new, it has become a very topical subject in a year when a pandemic forced us to question our priorities. Bringing families together around good food and wine is one of the passions of the Leopard’s Leap wine brand as well as Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards in Franschhoek. This sentiment is also at the heart of the newly introduced Leopard’s Leap Family Collection Heritage Blend. An accessible red that is easy to enjoy and a versatile partner for extended family meals.

This blend of 78% Shiraz (Paarl), 12% Cinsaut (Darling) and 10% Grenache Noir (Bot River) also celebrates the unique and diverse terroir of the Western Cape Winelands. “This wine met all the hallmarks I believe should be reflected in a South African red blend”, says Leopard’s Leap CEO Hein Koegelenberg.

A vibrant colour in the glass, the nose offers spicy oak, vanilla, red berries and whiffs of white pepper. These charming flavours follow through on the palate for a beautifully balanced wine with a lingering finish.  Smooth, integrated tannins from well-considered oak maturation in a combination of French oak barrels, make this an approachable blend that is easy to drink at a relatively young age.

The spicy notes and juicy red berries derived from all three varieties combine beautifully and result in the blend being a flexible food partner. With the holiday season ahead, this red will be a great choice with the complexity of flavour on a typical festive table, a popular option with red meats and barbeque flavours and served slightly chilled, a perfect daytime red.