NO DOUBT many a wine lover reacted with shock and disbelief on hearing that Painted Wolf of Paarl had won the title of Most Successful Producer Overall at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. That was until they heard how Jeremy & Emma Borg and ‘the pack’ pulled it off – with champion white and red wines made using the niche varieties Mourvèdre and Roussanne, unusual in South Africa, the Roussanne in particular. No other entrant at the show this year fielded more than one trophy-winning wine, plus, Painted Wolf was also on the label of a silver medallist among the white blends and nine bronze medallists including four Chenins.

Still, it’s impressive what they accomplish time and again, without a cellar of their own, renting equipment here and there and buying in grapes. Back in 2012, they collected a trophy for a 2009 Painted Wolf Shiraz, and in 2017 they won gold for their 2013 Guillermo Pinotage. Roussanne is one of their strong suits, having achieved silverware for the 2012, 2014 and 2015 vintages of their Paarl beauty before taking a trophy with their 2018.

“Dedicated to the production of authentic, distinct and delicious wines, and to the conservation of African Wild Dogs and their natural habitat,” Painted Wolf is now also a landmark on Main Road, Paarl. Wine and tapas is served at the SIT café every Wednesday evening and Jeremy is usually to be found serving wine lovers on the premises most Saturday mornings.

PAINTED WOLF MOURVÈDRE 2017
WO Swartland. Blend of 90% Mourvèdre from Billy Hughes’ Kasteelsig vineyard and 10% Shiraz from Leeuwenkuil. Hand-picked grapes. Fermentation mostly in small open bins, completed in oak barrels. Matured for 14 months in French oak barrels (30% new). 2192 bottles produced.
Alc 13.8 | RS 2.3 | TA 5.8 | pH 3.5
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: rich mélange of sweet and crunchy dark berry fruit, subtle pepper spice flavours and aromas in harmony with sweet oak; silky; fresh, long finish.
Ageing Potential: should drink well for up to eight years after vintage.
Pairing Suggestions: bistro cuisine such as sausage and potato salad, or chicken braised with fennel, saffron and green olives, or lamb chops with ratatouille and tapenade.
R180pb from the producer.

PAINTED WOLF ROUSSANNE 2018
WO Paarl. Vineyard on Mostert farm, south-eastern side of the Paardeberg. Fermentation in 500L French oak barrels (50% new) at Koopmanskloof in Stellenbosch. Matured in wood for nine months. 2750 bottles produced.
Alc 12.3 | RS 1.7 | TA 6.2 | pH 3.2
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: a tight, elegant wine with waxy stone fruit and soft spicy vanilla aromas; long finish with fresh acidity.
Ageing Potential: should be drunk within two to three years from vintage.
Pairing Suggestions: smoked snoek pâté with apricot relish, or salmon ravioli served with salsa verde, or roast duck with honey, lavender and thyme.
R140pb from the producer.

P.S. the delightful ink drawings on the labels of Painted Wolf Wines are courtesy of artist Jenny Metelerkamp.