Mount Rozier The Red Snapper Cinsault 2021 – South African red wine review

The Mount Rozier estate is part of the Journey’s End vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Named after its founder, Annie Rozier – a flower merchant who would pick wildflowers in the surrounding Schapenberg Hills and produce medicine for the local community – Mount Rozier is known for its beautiful landscape and, of course, its characterful wines. Now, the family-owned vineyard is best known for its sustainable and ethical farming practices and quality wine. This brings me to this week’s wine pick, Mount Rozier’s ‘The Red Snapper’ Cinsault.

Cinsault is a red grape variety that’s most notably associated with the South of France. Whilst it’s often blended with grape varieties such as Grenache and Carignan, this particular bottle from South Africa’s Mount Rozier estate is 100% Cinsault. On first inspection, The Red Snapper Cinsault holds a pale ruby colour that very lightly coats your glass. The nose is light, with fresh red fruits being the dominant scent – think red cherry, strawberry and some redcurrant too.

I tried it lightly chilled at first and then at room temperature, alongside a curry, and it paired perfectly with the spice. I actually found it more flavoursome at a slightly warmer temperature and the fruitiness really worked alongside the kick of spice from the curry.

As someone who is naturally drawn to an oaked, medium-high tannin red wine with plenty of warming spice, it can be difficult to find a bottle of red to pair with a curry. In fact, it can be a challenge to know what wine to pair with a curry – full stop. I’m often underwhelmed with lighter reds, but I found that The Red Snapper Cinsault paired fantastically with the spice of homemade Saturday night curry. It’s 100% made for enjoying with food.

This week’s wine is covered, but what bottle will you be pouring next week? Take a look through my full catalogue of wine reviews to find your next bottle of wine.