4 and 6 bottle levels     $22 (member price $19)
Grenache, Syrah, Mataro, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Tannat  14.0% ABV

Charles Back purchased an old tobacco farm in 1997, because he was impressed by the quality of grapes in Swartland.  He named the winery Spice Route in honor of the ancient mariners who brought spices to Europe.  Because of the six varieties blended together, he dubbed it Chakalaka (Zulu for “togetherness“), which is also a delightful regional dish (see recipe below).  We carried Chakalaka 8-10 years ago, before it disappeared from the market.  A wine clubber requested I find some for her, and I was able to get the importer to bring it back to the ATL.  Fermented in open concrete fermenters and neutral oak barrels. Each variety was aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months before blending. The final wine was returned to the same oak barrels for further maturation.  Blackberry, black plum, red raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco.

Chakalaka
(condiment – delicious over grilled or smoked meat)
(See traditional document for recipe.)