Description
Fairview Spice Route Chakalaka 2023 is a Swartland red blend that captures the region’s appetite for bold flavor, old-vine character, and a more untamed kind of balance. Inspired by the spice blend that gives the wine its name, it brings together several varieties into a red that feels generous, savory, and distinctly South African without losing focus. This is the kind of blend that values character as much as polish.
On the palate, the wine shows a rich, spicy profile with the warmth and breadth you would expect from Swartland fruit, but it stays grounded by a dry structure and enough freshness to keep it moving. The mix of Carignan, Shiraz, Grenache Noir, Tannat, Mourvèdre, and Durif gives the wine both fruit weight and savory depth, with a layered finish that suits hearty food especially well. It would pair naturally with slow-cooked lamb, cassoulet, hearty stews, or roasted vegetables, where its spice and structure can settle comfortably into the dish.
Already highly appealing, this is a red blend made for enjoyment now, though its structure and élevage suggest it should continue to show well over the near term.
On the palate, the wine shows a rich, spicy profile with the warmth and breadth you would expect from Swartland fruit, but it stays grounded by a dry structure and enough freshness to keep it moving. The mix of Carignan, Shiraz, Grenache Noir, Tannat, Mourvèdre, and Durif gives the wine both fruit weight and savory depth, with a layered finish that suits hearty food especially well. It would pair naturally with slow-cooked lamb, cassoulet, hearty stews, or roasted vegetables, where its spice and structure can settle comfortably into the dish.
Already highly appealing, this is a red blend made for enjoyment now, though its structure and élevage suggest it should continue to show well over the near term.
The grapes were hand-harvested and fermented in open concrete fermenters, with regular manual punch-downs used to manage extraction and build flavor and structure. Each component was matured separately in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months before blending, followed by additional aging in barrel to bring greater depth, integration, and harmony to the final wine.
Winemaker: harl du Plessis
Winemaker: harl du Plessis
Fairview is a working farm, home to a collection of micro-businesses that all share a common goal: to craft artisanal, sustainable produce, with a focus on fine wine and cheese. Everything they do is driven by their philosophy of being honest, honoring their heritage, and embracing their ingenuity. Eager to explore a wider range of wines using grapes grown in optimal conditions, Charles Back abandoned the estate wine concept in the 1980s, choosing instead to “go where the terroir is.” Today, Fairview is one of the few farms that proudly owns all its own vineyards, with land in Paarl, Darling, Swartland, and Stellenbosch.
