Spice Route, Chakalaka, Swartland

This wine is deep ruby in colour. On the nose, spicy aromas mingle with blackcurrant, cherry and plum fruit. Full-bodied and rich, the palate displays well-integrated oak and smooth, structured tannins. Chakalaka, a Zulu word that implies togetherness, refers to a South African blend of spices, used to add flavour to local dishes. This wine is inspired by the unique combination of flavours.

Chakalaka is Spice Route's signature wine. It is a blend of six different grape varieties. The varieties for this vintage: Grenache, Carignan, Durif, Mourvèdre, Shiraz and Tannat were selected for their suitability to the Swartland’s dry growing conditions. Fruit for this wine is sourced from predominantly dry-farmed bush vines, planted on Richter 99 rootstock, which is known for producing deep rooted vines. The region’s deep iron-rich clay and decomposed granite soils have a good water retaining capacity and produce elegant and robust red wines.

One of the Cape's best vintages, especially for Rhone varieties. 2021 saw delightfully warm conditions which allowed for an extended ripening period. The vineyard experienced minimal stress throughout the growing season. The longer ripening time allowed for extremely concentrated, aromatic, and healthy grapes which were able to reach optimal ripeness prior to harvest. Overall, an excellent vintage.