This is a special pre-release offering of the new Spaniard 2011 – a blend of Carignan, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsaut.
Some of you may recall a short stint I had with Woolworths roughly 2 years ago. It was quite an interesting exercise. What I learnt was that when the Woolworths client stands before the shelf, she (mostly, but sometimes he), generally buys a new wine purely on visual appearance – the look and information on the label: the exact opposite of the BLANKbottle concept.
So with Woolworths round number 2, I applied what I’d learnt and gave them exactly what they wanted – a busy label. A very busy label. So busy in fact, that there is absolutely no resemblance to a BLANKbottle. With the support of 2 young designers we removed the lid off my self-inflicted design restraints this one time and went all-out. The result is …… well, open to discussion.
The wine is not available in Woolworths yet and I am not sure yet which branches will be stocking it, but I have been given the go-ahead to pre-release it to my clients. This is a special preview only to you. You can buy it now for R59 a bottle. Place an order on my website www.blankbottle.co.za and make payment online. I will deliver within 3 days as usual.
In terms of style, Woolworths loved The Big Spaniard and wanted me to produce a similar blend in a more commercial style, for this order. Hence, larger oak vessels were used for ageing with all grapes hailing from the Paarl area. The blend consists of predominantly Carignan and Mourvedre with bits of Grenache and Cinsault. The top secret Little Spaniard I released earlier this year was a trial for this wine. Thanks to those of you who gave me feedback on the wine. I kept it in mind while working on the final Spaniard blend. I really appreciate and enjoy your involvement and contribution and therefore, a case of wine is on its way to 2 random names pulled out from the feedback list. Mark and Carolyn Neville and Aarnout Brombacher. Please send me your delivery details.
Now I need to head off to the winery. I am transporting a new wine from Botrivier today and bottling 2 new wines next week. Nice winter wines and true to the BLANKbottle spirit of adventure, something completely new and different – all will be revealed in due time.
