Short Left Red Blend - Neil Ellis

Short Left Red Blend - Neil EllisWith the Short Left Red Blend - Neil Ellis , a bright ruby red pours into the glass, playing at the rim with fine garnet-red reflections. At first, an intense aroma of juicy red berries rises, especially raspberry, redcurrant and ripe cherry. Nuances of blackberry, dark chocolate and a hint of cocoa follow. Spicy accents of black pepper, dried thyme and a touch of cedarwood round off the multi-layered bouquet. On the palate, the Short Left Red Blend - Neil Ellis is juicy, clear and precise. The fruit remains present but never tastes sweet. The dry style expresses cherry, cassis and red plum with great clarity. Delicate notes of mocha, dark chocolate and a little liquorice lend the wine depth and tension. A fresh, well-integrated acidity provides flow and vibrancy. The tannins feel ripe, fine-grained and well polished, giving structure without dominating. The body appears medium to full, always guided with elegance. The cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Grenache, Malbec and Merlot plays to its strengths in a harmonious way. Cabernet contributes structure and dark fruit, Merlot adds supple richness and cherry notes. Grenache brings warmth, red berries and a touch of spice. Cinsault contributes lightness, floral nuances and sheer drinkability. Malbec sets an accent of dark berry and subtle grip on the finish. On the finish, notes of chocolate, ripe berries and a hint of tobacco linger for a long time. A subtle minerality recalls warm, stony soils. The style comes across as modern, fruit-driven yet serious, with a clear origin in South Africa’s Western Cape. The climate there offers many hours of sunshine, cool Atlantic breezes and distinct differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly, with concentration and strong aromatics, retaining fresh acidity and intense colour. The Western Cape region is diverse, with soils of weathered granite, slate and sandstone. This very diversity is reflected in the glass by the Short Left Red Blend - Neil Ellis . It combines warm, ripe fruit with lively freshness and gentle spice. On the nose you find typical impressions that shape the character of the wine: Red berries such as raspberry, cherry and redcurrant Dark berries, cassis and blackberry in the background Chocolate, cocoa, mocha and a hint of coffee Spicy notes of pepper, thyme and dried herbs Subtle hints of cedarwood and restrained tobacco On the palate, the cuvée shows a polished tannin structure that pairs perfectly with the lively acidity. The wine feels full but not heavy, powerful yet always approachable. The style is suitable both for enjoyable solo moments and as a food partner for many occasions. Three particular strengths stand out: Fruit-driven, juicy style with clear structure Harmonious interplay of tannin, acidity and alcohol Great drinking pleasure combined with serious depth With 14 percent alcohol by volume, this red wine has drive and richness, yet remains balanced thanks to its fresh acidity. The dry vinification highlights varietal fruit and spice rather than sweetness. The result is a New World red wine that is refined yet immediately appealing. The screw cap keeps the aromas intact and is practical, ideal for enjoyable evenings, even in everyday life. Production of the Short Left Red Blend by Neil Ellis The grapes for the Short Left Red Blend come from selected vineyards in South Africa’s Western Cape. Here, maritime influences from the Atlantic meet warm days further inland. The vines grow on varied soils of weathered granite, slate and sandy sites. This combination brings ripeness, structure and a fine mineral streak to the wine. Cabernet Sauvignon provides the backbone of the wine’s structure. Thick-skinned berries contribute intense colour, grip and notes of cassis and dark fruit. Merlot ensures soft edges, rounded tannins and juicy cherry aromas. Grenache enriches the blend with warmth, red berry fruit and subtle spice. Cinsault contributes elegance, lightness and floral nuances. Malbec rounds out the cuvée with dark berry fruit and a touch of tannic bite on the finish. The harvest is carried out in several passes, depending on the ripeness levels of the individual varieties. Only fully ripe grapes reach the winery. Selective picking in the vineyard and additional sorting in the cellar ensure high quality. The berries are then gently transferred into the fermentation vessels to preserve the fruit aromas. After a short maceration period, temperature-controlled fermentation begins. It takes place in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve the freshness, fruit and clarity of the cuvée. During fermentation, the cap is regularly punched down. This allows colour, tannins and aromatic compounds to be gently and precisely extracted from the grape skins. The fermentation temperature remains moderate so that the fruity and spicy notes are retained. After fermentation is complete, the wine matures further on the fine lees. Occasional stirring of...