Doran Vineyards Romy D Red Blend 2024 Voor Paardeberg, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

Doran Vineyards sits in the Voor Paardeberg, a quiet pocket of the Cape near Paarl where the Swartland begins. Irish-born Edwin Doran bought the Far Horizons farm as a retirement project in 2010, and it remains a proper working farm, with cattle, sheep and hens sharing the land with the vines.

Romy D carries a family name and the easy-going spirit to match. It brings together roughly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a ten percent dab of Shiraz for extra dark fruit and spice. Aged in older oak barrels that add shape without loud flavour, it is built as the house red, made for the table rather than the cellar.

The 2024 season followed a wet, cold winter with a warm, dry summer, and a smaller crop across the Cape. Well-timed November rain in the Paardeberg kept the vines happy, and the reds that emerged are known for power balanced by freshness. That combination shows in the wine’s ripe fruit and lively edge.

Expect bright red cherry and berry fruit up front, with blackcurrant and a gentle savoury spice from the Shiraz sitting behind. The palate is rich but never heavy, tannins soft and rounded, the finish fresh and lingering. Serve it lightly chilled on a warm evening or at room temperature with roast chicken, burgers or a midweek pasta. Drink over the next three or four years.

Wine writer Jamie Goode of Wineanorak scored the 2024 vintage 90 points, calling out its bright, juicy fruit. It sits in the friendly, food-loving corner of Cape reds, offering more polish than its everyday price suggests. If you enjoy an approachable Bordeaux blend with a South African accent, this earns its place on the shelf.