Black Pearl The Mischief Maker 2024
Black Pearl Vineyards is an unirrigated vineyard on the slopes of Paarl Mountain. Mary Lou Nash relocated from Maine in 1995 and taught herself how to grow grapes and make wine. The 4.5 hectares of Shiraz (planted 1998) is nestled between a parcel of extremely rare patch of Renosterveld (an indigenous flora) which is considered a World Heritage area. She buys in the Grenache and Mourvedre from a nearby vineyard. Their vineyard is managed organically, save for the very infrequent need to spray for mildew. The fruit that they grow, produces voluptuous wines with soft tannins and black fruit notes – much like South Australia or Paso Robles. Since 2007 Mary Lou has always added Mourvedre to her Shiraz but never wrote on the label. Now she has included some Grenache and is trying to make a more perfumed, herbaceous and savory wine. The Shiraz, while it has a lot of black plum notes, also has nice peppery spiciness while the Mourvedre adds a graphite note to the aromatics and the Grenache adds white spice notes.
“Shiraz with dabs grenache noir & Mourvèdre, 15 months oaked, lucious 2024’s berry mix dusted with vanilla & spice, notes of pepper & scrub adding complexity. Already appealing but ageability not overlooked: enough musculature for a fine future. Paarl Swartland vines, like the last vintage (2022; 94 points)”
95 Points, 5 Stars – Platter’s South African Wine Guide
“Intense with toasty clove and dark brambly fruit, ripe and rich in its expression. Luscious, generous fruit with charry oak character. Robust, but will soften with time.”
92 Points – Decanter
“This savory red shows peppercorns, bramble berries and Mediterranean herbs on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, peppery and fun, with fine tannins. 88% shiraz, 6% mourvedre and 6% grenache. Drink now. Screw cap.”
90 Points – James Suckling
Black Pearl Vineyards is an unirrigated vineyard on the slopes of Paarl Mountain. Mary Lou Nash relocated from Maine in 1995 and taught herself how to grow grapes and make wine. The 4.5 hectares of Shiraz (planted 1998) is nestled between a parcel of extremely rare patch of Renosterveld (an indigenous flora) which is considered a World Heritage area. She buys in the Grenache and Mourvèdre from a nearby vineyard. Their vineyard is managed organically, save for the very infrequent need to spray for mildew. The fruit that they grow, produces voluptuous wines with soft tannins and black fruit notes – much like South Australia or Paso Robles. Since 2007 Mary Lou has always added Mourvèdre to her Shiraz but never wrote on the label. Now she has included some Grenache and is trying to make a more perfumed, herbaceous & savory wine. The Shiraz, while it has a lot of black plum notes, also has nice peppery spiciness while the Mourvèdre adds a graphite note to the aromatics and the Grenache adds white spice notes.
