Named after Lord Blackadder’s hapless sidekick, the 2009 Baldrick Shiraz has a very sweet, almost honeyed nose that is ripe and ostentatious. The palate is full-bodied with dense, juicy tannins that lead to a sweet, succulent plum and cassis finish that cuts away a little sharply. Commercial but appealing. Drink now-2013. Vondeling is a Paarl-based production established in 2001, although the oldest vines are actually 27-years old. Their 45-hectares of vines hone in on classic French grape varieties, and these were augmented three years ago upon the acquisition of a neighbour’s plot that included Petit Verdot and Pinotage.No US importer.