Saint George Cabernet Sauvignon from Jordan's Sama al-Sarhan vineyard, deep violet and almost pitch black in the glass, built on candied brandy cherry and blackberry jam with smoke and undergrowth behind, round and bold on the palate with structured tannins and a close of roasted almond and toffee.
Tasting Notes
Deep violet colour, almost pitch black, with garnet hints at the rim. Candied brandy cherry, dried blueberry and blackberry jam lead the nose, followed by a pleasant undergrowth character and hints of rubber and smoke. Round and bold on the palate with structured tannins, ripe cherry and black plum, and subtle notes of roasted almond and toffee through the finish. The extreme day to night temperature swing at 630 metres is what keeps a wine this ripe from losing its freshness.
Quick Facts
- Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Origin: Jordan, Sama al-Sarhan, Oran Plains (clay, limestone and basalt soils at 630m)
- Style: Dry red, full bodied, certified organic
- Viticulture: Certified organic, yields held under two tonnes per hectare, no herbicides or chemical fertiliser
Food Pairing
Korean marinated sirloin, short rib ragout, and dark chocolate fondue.
Serving
Serve at 14 to 16°C. Open twenty minutes before pouring.
About the Producer
Saint George is the wine of Omar Zumot, whose father Bulos founded the family drinks company in 1954. The name comes from the church of Saint George at Madaba, beside which Omar planted his first vineyard using vines brought from France. The estate now farms three sites: Madaba on clay and limestone, Souf in the mountains of Jerash at 1,150 metres, and the principal vineyard at Sama al-Sarhan on the Syrian border, where basalt thrown out by the extinct volcano of Jabal Druze layers the soil and changes every half metre. All are certified organic. Sheep graze between the rows, irrigation comes from carp ponds that enrich the water with nitrate, and yields are held below two tonnes per hectare, around a quarter of the world average.
