South African professional golfer Louis Oosthuizen’s range of 8 wines (4 red, 2 rosés, 2 whites) are bottled under the Louis57 brand (named after a memorable round of 57 at Mossel Bay Golf Course in 2002). What started out as a hobby for Louis in 2009, when he was just 26 years-old, has blossomed into internationally available wines with a gin and a brandy as a backup. While other professional golfers choose to match robust wines with eye-catching logos, the Louis57 range is subtle in both flavour and label design – in fact it’s hard to distinguish that it is the wine of an Open Championship winner from the bottle alone. So don’t expect traditional full-flavoured South African wines but ones in a lighter, softer style.
This South African red blend is equivalent to a French Bordeaux with its mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot grape varieties. Although this is a 2016 vintage there is sign of its aging potential from the clear edge to the wine’s colour when seen through an angled wine glass. The flavour is sharp, spicy and fruity with added meaty Bovril spread and black treacle notes. If you’re a fan of old-fashioned children’s sweets then you’ll like the taste of blackcurrant chews with cherry shoelaces. Quite a light mouthful for all that. A nice wine.
