Old Road Grand-mère Semillon 2017
• Gold Medal, Best in Class at Trophy Wine Show (SA)
• Gold Medal at International Wine Challenge (UK)

Old Road 12 Mile Syrah 2018
• Gold Medal at International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK)

AND THESE ARE just the stars of the range in 2021, two from several tiers of wines offered by the Old Road Wine Co. in Franschhoek, wines with interesting stories behind the names, characters of yesteryear ‘brought back to life’. The Semillon comes from La Colline vineyard on the rugged slopes of the valley that was planted 80 years prior to the harvest in 2017, a wine which “shows the grace and tenacity exemplified by a family matriarch” – grand-mère being French for grandmother. The 2018 Syrah originated in the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Durbanville, with subsequent vintages made from Swartland Shiraz, and the tale harks back to a time when the postman would walk and cycle the length and breadth of the ‘French Corner’, 12 miles a day, every day, on a mission to deliver the mail, without fail.

Other Old Road wines to catch the critics’ attention in the year to date include the 2018 Anemos, a Chenin Blanc named after the Greek word for wind, of which the Cape winelands are not short of, and the 2019 Spotted Hound, a red blend at under R100 a bottle, named after a dog renowned for stealing from the butcher’s shop. But there are many more charming reds and whites in the portfolio to explore – not forgetting the sparkling ‘pink’ Cap Classique, another award-winner, called simply Gorgeous. For details of these and other Old Road wines that have received good reviews, click here.

From very limited-production and single-vineyard premium bottlings to more readily-available, easily-affordable lines, the business is closely associated with DGB, who have a stake in the operation and own Franschhoek Cellar where the final stages of the winemaking take place. However, DGB chairman Tim Hutchinson is personally invested in and heads up the holding company Artisanal Brands, which also has other shareholders (and which also has a controlling interest in the Fryer’s Cove winery in Doringbaai on the West Coast). You won’t find Cabernet or Chardonnay here: winemaker Ryan Puttick is more of a Rhône than a Bordeaux or Burgundy man – although there is a Pinot Noir in the mix, from Elgin.

For anybody wine-routing in Franschhoek, Old Road is an appealing al fresco and indoor tasting, lunch and dinner venue. One of the stops on the Franschhoek tram line, with a great view of vineyards and mountains across the track. Fairly new destination celebrating things old and wonderful.

• For door-to-door delivery of award-winners in all major centres of South Africa, click here to order from specialist wine shop Norman Goodfellows.

OLD ROAD WINE CO. GRAND-MÈRE SEMILLON 2017
WO Franschhoek: high-density, low-yield bush-vines; single vineyard planted in 1936. Grapes hand-harvested. Maturation on the lees (spent yeast) in mostly older French oak barrels with regular stirring/bâtonnage.
Alc 14.0 | RS 5.2 | TA 7.5 | pH 3.2
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Elegant and refined, with opulent pear, kumquat and citrus peel flavours, sweet-exotic spice and a textured mouthfeel. The flavours evolve and persist from the entry onto the palate, with layers of succulent, tropical fruit and candied citrus… Lingering minerality on the finish.
Ageability: 10 to 15 years after vintage.
Pairing Recommendation: Shellfish (crab, crayfish, grilled prawns with a hint of chilli and coriander), or a gently-spiced chicken dish.
R303pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek.

OLD ROAD WINE CO. 12 MILE SYRAH 2018
WO Coastal Region: Stellenbosch and Durbanville. Dryland-farming. Hand-harvesting. 15% fermented on the stems. Cold fermentation; open fermenters. Secondary malolactic fermentation in 600L French oak barrels (25% new). 14 months in barrel before light fining.
Alc 13.5 | RS 2.7 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.2
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: New, elegant style… Spicy and rich with textured layers and ripe but fresh berry fruit. On the nose there is blackcurrant with aromatic notes of white pepper and coriander. On the palate soft, velvety tannins combine with lingering mulberry fruit and great structure.
Ageability: 5 to 10 years after vintage.
Pairing Recommendation: Roast pork belly, or rillettes, juicy steak or game (e.g. gemsbok).
R233pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek.