Ever since the first release, some five years ago, Roan Ranger has always been Cinsaut dominated, mainly due to my fondness for Cinsaut (when it proved so successful as a blending component in the iconic Rustenberg Dry Red). Using old vine fruit from Darling, this wine has been consistently well received.
The difference in the 2018 is that the Grenache component has turned out to be absolutely stunning and whichever way we blended, the Grenache-dominant version always came out tops.
This wine has grown in popularity over the years – people have loved the label and the wine itself has lived up to the packaging.
Amidst the chaos of the first lockdown we managed to get a few bottles out to the “cognescenti” and Christian Eedes (Wine mag) rated it 91 and commented as follows:
“The nose is very perfumed with notes of rose, pomegranate and dried herbs as well as red fruit while the palate is light-bodied with lemon-like acidity and a salty finish. Pure and poised with ultra-fine tannins, fantastic quality relative to price.”
With a “cellar door” shelf price of just under R100 and retail not a lot more, people have remarked on the outstanding value for money. The reason is simple; by supplying directly to consumers and saving that big chunk of “distribution” cost, it is probably some 25% less than had this wine been supplied along the conventional route. Granted – without the benefit of nationwide trade distribution, sales reps and infrastructure, “Roan” won’t be found on national retail shelves, but easily purchased online.
ROAN RANGER 2018 – this horse proving to be a winner
Ever since the first release, some five years ago, Roan Ranger has always been Cinsaut dominated, mainly due to my fondness for Cinsaut (when it proved so successful as a blending component in the iconic Rustenberg Dry Red). Using old vine fruit from Darling, this wine has been consistently well received.
The difference in the 2018 is that the Grenache component has turned out to be absolutely stunning and whichever way we blended, the Grenache-dominant version always came out tops.
This wine has grown in popularity over the years – people have loved the label and the wine itself has lived up to the packaging.
Amidst the chaos of the first lockdown we managed to get a few bottles out to the “cognescenti” and Christian Eedes (Wine mag) rated it 91 and commented as follows:
“The nose is very perfumed with notes of rose, pomegranate and dried herbs as well as red fruit while the palate is light-bodied with lemon-like acidity and a salty finish. Pure and poised with ultra-fine tannins, fantastic quality relative to price.”
With a “cellar door” shelf price of just under R100 and retail not a lot more, people have remarked on the outstanding value for money. The reason is simple; by supplying directly to consumers and saving that big chunk of “distribution” cost, it is probably some 25% less than had this wine been supplied along the conventional route. Granted – without the benefit of nationwide trade distribution, sales reps and infrastructure, “Roan” won’t be found on national retail shelves, but easily purchased online.