This wine is a thoughtful gift that arrived courtesy of a generous house guest, so thank you Hugh! It comes from South Africa, more precisely from the foothills of the Hottentot Mountains. Its name pays tribute to Sir Lowry’s Pass, a well-known landmark close to the winery in the Western Cape, itself named after Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, a British colonial figure who served as Governor of the Cape from 1828.
Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 vintage has spent 18 months in French oak. At 13.5% ABV, it pours with a slightly browning colour. The aromas is of blackcurrant and a touch of leather come through. It is full-bodied, with dark plum and blackcurrant leading the flavour, a brighter character lifting the middle, before it rounds out with a deeper, chocolaty finish. The tannins sit between slight and medium, smoothed by the time in oak and the wine softens further after about half an hour in the glass or open bottle.
Very easy to enjoy, this is a wine that doesn’t demand too much concentration yet offers plenty. It’s widely available too, with Waitrose stocking it at £15, and occasionally dropping to £10, making it excellent value when on offer.
