The Liberator 'The Three Graces' 2024

This is one of those bottles that makes you do a double take. Graciano in South Africa? Yep. And it absolutely works! Bursting with bright tart cherry, cranberry and pomegranate with a savoury hit of dried herbs and peppercorns. Fresh, nicely grippy and perfect with lamb chops. 

Chris Williams of The Foundry, known for sourcing exceptional fruit rather than owning vineyards, usually focuses on single-varietal wines but a tiny first harvest of Graciano from the southern Swartland sparked a rare change of direction. Graciano, a Rioja grape prized for structure and ageing potential and almost unheard of in the Cape, was fermented and aged in a mix of old oak barrel and clay amphora. When Chris shared the wine with long-time collaborator 'The Liberator' Rick Kelley MW, they agreed it had real promise but needed rounding out, so Grenache was added for generosity and a small touch of Grenache Blanc for lift. The name The Three Graces nods both to the grape Graciano and to Greek mythology’s symbols of charm, beauty and creativity, with the Picasso-inspired label by Eddie Haumann referencing mythology and the clay amphora used in the wine’s ageing.