WITH SOME vintages it’s recommended that for a refreshing drink you can chill this blend, described by the De Villiers family as a “fun-loving” wine. In recent years, however, the Paul Hugo Red has over-delivered relative what you might expect from the second tier in Landskroon’s portfolio. The 2020 is one of the standouts since the maiden vintage 2006. Judged best value gold medallist at the 2022 Cab Franc Challenge (SA), it’s widely distributed and on offer at some retailers for even less than what it’s priced at on the farm in the foothills of Paarl ‘Rock’ Mountain. Here we have a classic combo that rewards at room temperature – below 20° but no lower than 16°C or you risk dulling the complexity.

Landskroon’s tally of awards at the Challenge now runs to four in the space of five years. So a blend with a pretty good hit rate, this is. They recall once making a single-varietal Cabernet Franc a while back and, given the pleasing results from their younger vineyards, they might just give some thought to producing a barrel under their more premium Paul de Villiers label before too long.

LANDSKROON PAUL HUGO RED 2020
WO Paarl. Blend of Cabernet Franc (50%), Shiraz (30%) and Merlot (20%), with the vines ranging between six and 17 years old. Grapes harvested at 24.5°B. Closed fermenters, where a portion of the juice was withdrawn for flavour concentration. Matured using a combination of American and French oak staves for eight months, with a small portion in second- and third-fill French oak barrels for 12 months.
Alc 14.0 | RS 3.2 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.5
From Winemaker Fanie Geyser’s Tasting Notes: Plum, spices and black pepper on the nose. A soft, well-balanced tannin structure contributes to an elegant mouthfeel. The red berry, spice and plum flavours can also be detected on the palate. A wine to be enjoyed now but will improve for several years to come.
Producer’s Pairing Recommendations: lightly barbecued meals and spicy seafood.
R70pb ex-cellar, Paarl.