2012 Fable Mountain Vineyards, Jackal Bird, Western Cape, South Africa

The blend that will be whatever they want it to be…  
This picture-perfect South African estate is stock-full of wonderfully evocative stories. (One Berry Bros. staffer, Sophie Thorpe, was lucky enough to visit the South African slice of paradise last year, and tells its tale in more detail here.)

Although each wine in its range has an interesting background, the blended white is a particular curiosity: Paul and Rebecca Nicholls chose to name it Jackal Bird, after the raptors which cruise the thermals high above the winery: inspired by the fable this is the one wine which will be whatever they choose it to be, as the duo purchase the grapes for the blend and change its varietal components every year to reflect their creative bent.

---

This wine speaks for himself and reveals the hidden potential and quality South Africa has to offer. Miles away from explosive and overripe flavours this wine has a wonderful elegance and individuality. Restrained at first sight it reveals a mineral character suggesting crushed stones and smoke alongside spring blossom. Freshness and presence higlight the palate with well infused tropical and peachy fruit. Perfectly balanced, the finish has tension and persistency. Even if perfect on its own I would suggest to pair it with an Asian and slightly spicy dish such as Prawn Tampura.
Francis Huicq - London Shop Manager

Subtle and intriguing, the 2012 Jackal Bird has an incredible nose of mandarin and delicate, exotic fruit. It is a blend of Chenin Blanc (45%), Grenache Blanc (20%), Roussanne (17%), Chardonnay (9%) and Viognier (9%), all of which combine beautifully on the textured supple palate. The wine is superbly balanced by freshness and is very well integrated. It is easy to see why this wine gained 5 stars in John Platter’s South African Wine Guide. 
Adrian Brice, Wine Buyi