Restrained, yet robust blend of black pepper, cumin, cardamom seeds and ripe plums. Mineral oak tannins provide a persistent backdrop. 86.5% Syrah: 13.5% Mourvedre. In 1996, Cathy Marshall decided to have a braai for her friends. The party turned into something of a breakthrough evening when they decided to crush some grapes that she had bought, barefooted in her garage. Nine months later the original party gathered again to bottle the wine by hand.
Barefoot is now known as BMC wines, and by 1998 Cathy was handling 16 tonnes of grapes rather than the original one tonne. However, the annual harvest ritual of the 'footstomp bash' continues, but the wine is now made in the 'high tech' wineries of Amani and Yonder Hill.
The company does not own vineyards, but sources the grapes from some of the best vineyards to make top quality wines. This is in the tradition of the French 'negociants' -- with a South African flavour.
BMC wines are terrific to drink and the bottles provide a classic backdrop to any table with the disctinctive and stylish label, a unique collaboration with artist Hannetjie de Clercq.
The grapes originate from Agter-Paarl / Windmeul area - Langverwacht Farm while the harvest produced very small berries they were concentrated and full of flavour.
Once in the winery the grapes were de-stemed with no crushing giving a whole berry component of approximately 70%. Daily pump-overs for maximum flavour and tannin extraction was then undertaken. After pressing, the juice was gravity fed to French (76%) and American oak (24%) barrels and finally rough filtration was carried out prior to bottling to ensure clarity.
