South African Legends Series ‘Vasco & the Explorers’ Touriga Nacional 2019 Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa 75cl

This wine comes from Richard Kelley, the Master of Wine behind The Liberator, who seeks out small, unusual parcels from leading Cape cellars and bottles them under his own labels. The South African Legends Series celebrates the more adventurous end of what the country grows, and few grapes are more adventurous here than this one.

Touriga Nacional is Portugal’s most revered red variety, the backbone of the Douro and of port, and it is still a rare sight in South Africa. The name is a nod to Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who rounded the Cape of Good Hope, which makes it a fitting badge for a Portuguese grape grown in Stellenbosch. Only a little is made.

The 2019 vintage gave ripe, expressive fruit, and the wine leans into the grape’s natural perfume and depth rather than chasing sheer power.

The nose is vibrant and floral, with ripe blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry lifted by violets, a hint of dried herbs and a touch of black pepper. The palate is full-bodied and dry, generous but firm, with the structure and grip to stand up to hearty food at 13.5% alcohol. The finish is long and gently spiced.

If you enjoy Douro reds or a bolder style of Cape wine, this is an intriguing crossover and a genuine talking point, and a rare chance to taste Portugal’s flagship grape grown at the tip of Africa. Serve it with slow-cooked lamb, a beef stew or a plate of mature cheese, ideally after a short spell in the decanter.