2020 Granite Ridge Cinsault

Discover why South African Cinsault is gaining acclaim in the wine world with 2020 Granite Ridge Cinsault, a dry red wine from an award-winning winery. Light to medium-bodied, this red is beautifully perfumed with red fruits and spices. The palate reveals a juicy mouthfeel, with tasting notes of cherries and cranberries underscored by brambly herbal and spice hints. Its bright acidity is balanced by soft, supple tannins with a lingering finish. The 2020 vintage yielded slowly ripening grapes, allowing for wines of great color intensity and wonderful fruit concentration. Cinsault (also known as Cinsaut) grapes were hand-harvested from vineyards in Swartland, located north of Cape Town in South Africa’s Western Cape region. The climate here is hot and dry, which Cinsault thrives in. Crafted by The Winery of Good Hope, Granite Ridge is a collection of approachable, terroir-driven wines that reflect the region’s unique geology and soils. The winery is named for The Cape of Good Hope, a rocky area on the Atlantic coast that saw wine grapes among the first crops grown when it was settled in the 1650s. Founder and winemaker Alex Dale is passionate about making “quality wine with a conscience,” and The Winery of Good Hope uses traditional and natural viticultural and winemaking methods to create delicious wines for any occasion. The Stellenbosch-based winery is also dedicated to environmental, ethical, and social-upliftment practices. The savory nature of 2020 Granite Ridge Cinsault makes it a great choice with meats, whether roasted, braised, or stewed. It will also complement creamy blue cheese, stuffed peppers, and Moroccan lamb.