Once a year, the Paisley Bear Wine Club tips its hat to the bold, the brooding, and the unapologetically red wines of Franschhoek.
This is the box you bring out when the evening turns cool, the music gets low, and the conversation leans in.
From polished Cabernet Sauvignon to sultry Syrah, velvety Merlot to a powerhouse Bordeaux blend, this is a line-up that's all about depth, structure, and wines that don't just stand up to food - they embrace it.
This box is for slow roasts, smoky braais, rich sauces, and those rare nights when you open something special just because.
What's in the Box?
1. Grande Provence - Cabernet Sauvignon
Nose: Blackcurrant, cedarwood, dried herbs, and a faint echo of graphite.
Palate: Full-bodied and structured, with cassis and dark cherry supported by fine-grained tannins and a savoury, lingering finish.
Food pairing: Ribeye steak, lamb chops with rosemary, or a dark chocolate tart.
Moment Pairing: Red meat on the braai, scarf still around your neck, glass warming your hands.
Earth Beneath Our Feet - Syrah
Nose: Ripe blackberry, black pepper, violets, and smoked bacon.
Palate: Plush and generous, with dark fruit intensity, savoury spice, and a smooth, warming finish.
Food pairing: Beef potjie, chargrilled venison, or slow-roasted aubergine with harissa.
Moment Pairing: Steam from the pot, rain on the roof, Syrah in the glass - the trifecta.
Paserene - Dark Syrah
Nose: Black plum, anise, crushed black pepper, and a whisper of cocoa.
Palate: Concentrated and layered, with velvety tannins and a luxurious depth that unfolds slowly in the glass.
Food pairing: Lamb shank with root vegetables, duck with black cherry sauce, or truffle-infused mushroom risotto.
Moment Pairing: Long, slow dinner where every course gets the same attention as the wine in your glass.
Rickety Bridge - Merlot
Nose: Red cherries, plum compote, milk chocolate, and baking spice.
Palate: Smooth and plush, with ripe fruit up front, subtle oak sweetness, and a soft, rounded finish.
Food pairing: Mushroom risotto, pork belly, or roasted butternut with sage.
Moment Pairing: The comforting weight of a blanket and the even more comforting weight of Merlot in your hand.
Bellingham - Bernard Series The Maverick SMV
Nose: Black cherry, mulberry, pepper spice, and a touch of wild herbs.
Palate: Juicy and generous, with Syrah's pepper, Mourvèdre's savoury depth, and Viognier's floral lift all in harmony.
Food pairing: Lamb kofta, beef short rib, or a rich vegetable tagine.
Moment Pairing: A crowded kitchen, something sizzling in the pan, and a Maverick smile on your face.
Stony Brook - The Max
(44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot)
Nose: Cassis, cigar box, dried sage, and dark chocolate shavings.
Palate: Classic Bordeaux blend elegance - ripe black fruit, earthy spice, and firm tannins that promise longevity.
Food pairing: Slow-roasted beef, lamb tagine, or a mature cheddar cheese board.
Moment Pairing: The fire's been going since 4 pm, dinner is hours away, and this bottle is already half gone.
This is a collection that's bold without bluster, balanced without blandness - a celebration of red wine in all its generous glory.
What's in the box
1x Grande Provence Cabernet Sauvignon
1x Earth Beneath Our Feet Syrah
1x Paserene Dark Syrah
1x Rickety Bridge Merlot
1x Bellingham Bernard Series The Maverick SMV
1x Stony Brook The Max
