2013 Paserene Marathon
Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Bright ruby red with an opaque purple center. Nose started off very tight with a little bit of chalk. After another 15 minutes or so in the glass it began to open up a little. Starting with some raspberry and baking spices like cloves. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and moderate plus body. Furry mouth feel and thick. Solid acidity with a long and dry finish. This is a big wine that definitely needs a few years on its side to develop and integrate more. We would love to find some more of this wine state side, outstanding value.
The label on this bottling is of a swallow which was created by a local Cape Town artist, Lorraine Loots, and a designer, Lauren Ann McCarthy. The swallow was selected for this label since it shows Martin Smith's (the winemaker) relentless pursuit of acquiring knowledge to create his own label, Paserene Wines. All the labels were hand pressed with an old Heidelberg press. The wine is a blend of Petit Verdot and some of the only vineyards of Carménère in South Africa, as Martin says, "bastard children of Bordeaux". Both varietals were fermented in small upright French oak barrels with careful punch-downs, so that the wine would not become overly extracted. Aged in 30% new French oak for 16 months before bottling without filtration. Additionally, this spent one year in the bottle prior to release. We believe this is the inaugural bottling of the Marathon.
2015 till 2035.
Price Point:
$ - Purchased at Vilafonte for $14.58. Cannot wait until this finally makes it into the United States at the end of 2016.