BLANKbottle “Master of None”

western cape, south africa |  2021

Get ready to embark on a wine adventure that's as eclectic as it is delicious.

For October’s next wine, I am introducing an epic bottle by the visionary winemaker Pieter Walser. Having supported Walser’s wines for the last 8 years, I can say without hesitation that he is a true artist in every sense of the word (up to and including the artwork on his labels which are all prints designed by him!)

Since 2004, Walser has been on a remarkable winemaking journey. He is the genius behind BLANKbottle, a winery that produces an astonishing 37 different South African wines, each one a unique creation and which never allow the consumer to know what’s inside until doing a little research via the QR code provided on the back of his labels. Pieter's philosophy is simple: never repeat a wine. This means that every bottle from BLANKbottle is a one-off, making each tasting experience truly special.

The title "Master of None" pays homage to the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none." Walser, known for working with a multitude of grape varietals, humbly claims not to be a master of any one of them. However, after tasting "Master of None", it's evident that he is indeed a master of his craft.

The 2021 bottling is a remarkable and quirky blend: 57% Grenache Noir, 23% Cinsault, 10% Fernao Pires, 3% Chardonnay, 3% Chenin Blanc, 2% Pinot Noir, and 2% Pinotage spending 10 months in neutral French oak barrel. What sets this vintage apart is the inclusion of several smaller parcel white grapes, adding layers of brightness and depth to the wine's profile. This unique cépage yields a wine that is incredibly balanced and complex. There are notes of ripe red fruits, cherry and pomegranate mingling with Sicilian lemon zest. A hint of oak adds richness, toast and spice to the mix. It's like Carnival in a bottle, and everyone's invited!

This masterful cuvée bursts with a litany of aromatics that evolve beautifully as the hours pass. Try it with a platter of assorted cheeses and watch as it waltzes with romano, breakdances with bloomy rind goat, and does the moonwalk with manchego. As the weather begins to chill, pair it with roasted chicken or braised short ribs - this wine covers so many bases and it takes well to a chill too, so pop in the refrigerator for 20 min before serving to really make it sing! Only 1500 cases of this wine were produced.