BLANKbottle, Empire, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2017

Pieter Walser is one of the most innovative winemakers in the world, and is the producer of some of SA’s most coveted wines that you’ve probably never tasted. Within BLANKbottle there are no 2 wines alike and about 30% of the wines are once-off limited editions. Pieter crafts unique wine blends, picking about 35 grape varieties from 60 vineyards around the Cape. Each of his wines is bottled and labelled according to the unique story behind it. The main aim of BLANKbottle wines is to provide an honest, personal taste with no preconceived expectations that come with certain vintages or styles.

Tasting notes:

‘A Petit Verdot-led blend with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc from Stellenbosch. It’s the big brother of Empire Strikes Back and is juicy and full-bodied with bold fruit, power and rich, ripe tannins – typical of Stellenbosch, aka the ‘Empire’!’ – James Pietersen (October 2019)