Orpheus & The Raven No. 42 Red Blend 2023
Orpheus & The Raven No. 42 Red Blend 2023 is a dry, full-bodied red from Pinotage, Pinot Noir, Cinsault (Western Cape, South Africa), in the rich, smooth reds style. Tannins are moderate and acidity moderate; oak influence is some. Good with roast chicken, Japanese food, duck, salmon. Drink within 10 years (to about 2033). Decant for about 1 hour. Critic score 93/100 (merchant-reported).
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| False Bay Bush Vine Pinotage 2023 False Bay Vineyards · Western Cape | £11.39 | |||
| Cairanne Rouge, Marcel Richaud 2024 Domaine Richaud · Rhône | £24.50 | |||
| Domaine la Cendrillon Inédite, Corbières (organic) 2017 Domaine de la Cendrillon · Languedoc-Roussillon | £24.50 | |||
| TerraNoble Ca2 Costa Carmenere 2018 TerraNoble · Colchagua Valley | £23.90 |
Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. This is a red Cape blend, composed of Pinotage and its parents, Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. Scents of plum, cherry, oak and Pinot Noir chocolate collide on the nose. The fruits were sourced from a variety of vineyards around the Cape Town wine region, to create a harmonious homage to South Africa’s most famous grape. The winery was founded in 2013, and the name Orpheus and the Raven refers to its two owners: wine-maker Etienne Louw and graphic designer Brenden Schwartz, respectively. They have received numerous awards for their baroque-style labels, including multiple gold medals at the Winemag Wine Label Design Awards. This wine takes its name from “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy” series of novels, where the number 42 is the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything. No. 42 opens with a flourish of red and black fruit, bell pepper, tobacco and vanilla. It is a round, full-bodied wine with good acidity and silky tannins. The grapes were aged separately for 18 months, the Pinotage in barrels of French and American oak, while the Pinot Noir and Cinsaut aged in French oak exclusively. The oaky backbone becomes more apparent at the finish. Consider pairing this wine with slow-cooked meat, vegetable kebabs, or chicken teriyaki.