This is one more South African label that points to the country’s wine resurgence
Essay is a South African wine brand (S.A. — get it?) from the same company that makes the top flight MAN Family wines. So buying this sight unseen was not a stretch.
That’s because the Essay red blend 2020 ($12, purchased, 13.5%) is all a great cheap wine should be – not stupid, much more than simple, varietally correct, and speaking to where the wine is from.
In this case, that means a red blend (a little more than half syrah, plus more or less equal amounts cinsault, grenache, and mouvedre) that is funky, dark, and rustic – and surprisingly satisfying. In other words, a very South African take on a classic French Rhone red.
The fruit is almost plummy, and there might be a bit of spice tucked in there somewhere. The tannins are soft, but they are there (as they should be). Perhaps most impressive: the acidity is in balance, which is not easy to do with this style of wine and especially at this price.
Highly recommended, and a candidate for the 2023 Hall of Fame. It’s light enough for summer drinking and is spot on for almost any red meat on the grill. The white, a chenin blanc blend, is also well worth drinking,
One note: The wine apparently has a variety of names, including Essay Shiraz and Essay Syrah.