{"title":"The Actual Wine Of The Month","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"leopards-leap-pardus-2022","title":"Leopards Leap Pardus 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeopard’s Leap is based in the Franschhoek Valley, drawing fruit from carefully selected vineyards across the Western Cape. This gives the team the freedom to blend cooler-climate freshness with warmer-area ripeness, a hallmark of modern Cape reds. The estate philosophy is straightforward: make wines that are generous, consistent, and easy to enjoy at the table, rather than technical trophies. Pardus is crafted in a clean, contemporary style, with careful use of oak to add shape and spice without overwhelming the fruit. It’s a good example of New World brightness anchored by a more classical sense of balance and drinkability. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColour:\u003cbr\u003eDeep ruby with a youthful purple rim, suggesting a fruit-forward, relatively young red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose:\u003cbr\u003ePlum and black cherry lead, supported by notes of ripe blackberry. Underneath the fruit you’ll find a touch of baking spice, a hint of vanilla or mocha from oak, and a light herbal or savoury edge that keeps it from feeling too jammy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate:\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied with smooth, rounded tannins and a supple texture. The palate follows the nose with dark berry and plum flavours, lifted by subtle spice and a gentle chocolate note. Acidity is moderate, giving enough freshness to keep the wine lively without feeling sharp. Overall, it’s an easy-drinking, neatly balanced red designed for relaxed, mid-week drinking as much as casual entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish:\u003cbr\u003eMedium in length, with soft dark fruit and a lingering touch of spice and cocoa.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leopards Leap","offers":[{"title":"750ml Bottle","offer_id":45185712521395,"sku":"RW2228BR41","price":255.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/5195\/9731\/files\/RW2228BR41.jpg?v=1766150905"},{"product_id":"leopards-leap-culinaria-chenin-blanc-2024","title":"Leopards Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeopard’s Leap is based in the Franschhoek Valley but sources fruit for the Culinaria range from carefully chosen vineyards across the Western Cape. For Culinaria Chenin Blanc, that usually means older vines and slightly cooler sites where Chenin keeps its natural acidity and develops layered stone-fruit and citrus flavours. The range is made with food in mind, so the winemaking aims for texture and detail rather than sheer ripeness: careful picking, a mix of stainless steel and older oak or large-format vessels in many vintages, and some time on lees to add weight and savoury depth. The result is a Chenin Blanc that bridges New World generosity – ripe fruit and approachability – with a more Old World sense of structure and subtlety. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColour:\u003cbr\u003ePale to medium straw with a gentle golden tint, bright and clear in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNose:\u003cbr\u003eRipe pear, yellow apple and white peach lead, supported by lemon and subtle nectarine notes. Behind the primary fruit are hints of honeysuckle, soft spice and a light waxy or savoury note from lees contact or discreet oak, giving extra interest without feeling heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePalate:\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied with a smooth, rounded texture and lively but not sharp acidity. Flavours of pear, baked apple and stone fruit are layered with citrus, a touch of quince and a gentle nutty or creamy edge. The mid-palate has good weight, making the wine feel satisfying at the table, while the freshness keeps it from becoming rich or cloying. Overall, it’s dry, balanced and quietly complex rather than showy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinish:\u003cbr\u003eMedium to long, with lingering pear, lemon pith and a subtle savoury, almost almond-like note.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leopards Leap","offers":[{"title":"750ml Bottle","offer_id":45185713242291,"sku":"WW2440CB47","price":135.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/5195\/9731\/files\/WW2440CB47.jpg?v=1766151351"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.wineofthemonth.co.za\/collections\/the-actual-wine-of-the-month.oembed","provider":"Wine of the Month","version":"1.0","type":"link"}