2020 Cape Route Cinsault

Cape Route is the creation of Ernst Storm, a winemaker who splits his time between Santa Barbara and his homeland in South Africa. Born in Hermanus, near Cape Town in the famed Walker Bay appellation, Ernst landed in California in 2003 and has since honed a mix of modern techniques alongside the hand crafted methods of the Cape. This Cinsault is an easy-drinking red that’s bursting with red fruit notes as well as purple flowers and spice. As a lighter-bodied, punchy red, it’s just the change you need from the rich wines that are common in winter. Just like the meandering, scenic road it’s named for — a stretch of the longest wine route on Earth — Cape Route is one of South Africa’s best-kept secrets.