Dry farmed reds from the barren Swartland.

Spice Route Mourvedre 2006: Wonderful nose; lots of blueberry. Tannic, rich, real Mourvedre character. Modern style.

Spice Route Pinotage 2006: Clean and modern; no rubber/smoke. (This was probably bad winemaking and cellar management in South Africa; I had zero flawed wines, full of Brett, on this trip.)

Spice Route Shiraz 2005: VERY ripe and rich, but finish carries it through so it is not over the top.

Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2005: Better than the regular. Hand-sorted fruit. More classic style. French oak; unfined, unfiltered. More earthy on finish but fruit is up-front.

Spice Route Malabar 2004: Impeccably smooth; one of South Africa’s top reds. Syrah/Mourvedre/Petit Syrah/Grenache.