Guardian Peak Frontier Red

Name: Guardian Peak Frontier Red
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Price: $18
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

We first tasted this South African red blend several months ago at The Grape restaurant/wine store at International Plaza in Tampa. It was one of 3 South African reds that we tasted as part of a flight. We liked all three very much, but haven't seen any of them at our usual wine stores. Since Krista particularly liked these wines, I headed back to the restaurant's retail store to pick up a bottle for Mother's Day. This was the only one of the three that the small shop still stocks, so I bought it and we drank it on Sunday with cheeseburgers that I grilled, along with some fresh vegetables.

The Guardian Peak Frontier Red was excellent. It had a nice nose of dark berries and smoky chocolate. The taste was primarily blackberries, black cherries, coffee, and chocolate. It had a medium-plus feel in the mouth and a long finish. Apparently, this wine is made by a partnership in South Africa that includes golfer Ernie Els.

With the World Cup starting next month in South Africa, Krista and I plan on drinking several South African wines this summer. We've had good luck so far.