Mulderbosch Faithful Hound

Mulderbosch Faithful Hound is a Bordeaux-inspired red blend from Stellenbosch, South Africa, bottled at approximately 13–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 92 points by Tim Atkin for the 2022 vintage and ranked #82 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2014, this wine has earned consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13–14.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa  |  Bordeaux-Style Five-Varietal Blend  |  Producer: Mulderbosch Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Mulderbosch Vineyards, based in Stellenbosch, produces Faithful Hound as one of the first five-varietal Bordeaux-style blends in the Cape. The 2019 vintage comprises 29% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Malbec, and 12% Petit Verdot — fruit sourced from the rich shale soils of the Bottelary Hills subregion after an extensive search for the ideal sites for each variety. The wine spends 18 months in 60% new French oak, building structured complexity while allowing the fruit character to remain expressive.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pronounced cassis and fragrant purple plum lead the nose, followed by dried figs, dates, and hints of clove. A subtle forest-floor quality emerges beneath layers of sandalwood, star anise, and white pepper.

Taste: The entry is ripe and generous, with concentrated blackcurrant and dark berry flavors at the core. Mid-palate, coffee and nutmeg weave through intense blackberry and plum, while pencil shavings and oak spice add structural depth. Notes of dark chocolate and sweet cherry tobacco surface toward the peak, framed by subtle wood vanillas.

Finish: Medium to long, with balanced tannins carrying lingering herbal and spice notes. The oak integration is clean, leaving a savory resonance alongside fading dark fruit.

How to Drink Faithful Hound

Faithful Hound is best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F) and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to open the layered aromatics. Pair it with food rather than cocktails — this is a structured red built for the table. A classic lamb shank braise draws out the wine's dark fruit and spice. Grilled ribeye steak complements the tannin framework and savory undertones. A mature hard cheese board with aged Gouda or Gruyère highlights the oak-derived vanilla and nutmeg notes.

Best For

• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who appreciates Bordeaux-style blends
• Dinner party centrepiece alongside grilled or braised red meats
• Cellaring for 5–10 years to develop further complexity
• Introducing someone to premium South African reds beyond single-varietal wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Faithful Hound taste like? Faithful Hound delivers concentrated blackcurrant, dark berry, and plum flavors layered with coffee, nutmeg, dark chocolate, and oak spice. It is medium to full-bodied with balanced tannins and a savory, lingering finish.

How does Faithful Hound compare to traditional Bordeaux blends? Faithful Hound uses the same five classic Bordeaux grape varieties but sources fruit from Stellenbosch's Bottelary Hills shale soils, which tend to produce riper, more fruit-forward expressions than many Left Bank Bordeaux at a comparable price tier. The 60% new French oak regime gives it a polished structure, though the warmer South African climate delivers more immediate generosity on the palate.

Is Faithful Hound good for cellaring? Yes — its firm tannin structure, balanced acidity, and 18-month French oak aging give it the backbone to develop in bottle for 5 to 10 years from vintage. Multiple vintages have earned 90+ point scores from critics including Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Tim Atkin, suggesting consistent aging potential.

Where is Faithful Hound made? Faithful Hound is produced by Mulderbosch Vineyards in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The fruit is specifically sourced from the Bottelary Hills subregion, chosen for its rich shale soils suited to each of the five Bordeaux varieties in the blend.

What foods pair well with Faithful Hound? Braised lamb shanks match the wine's dark fruit depth and herbal complexity. Grilled ribeye steak stands up to the structured tannins. Duck confit echoes the savory, spice-driven mid-palate. Aged hard cheeses like Gouda or Comté highlight the vanilla and nutmeg oak notes. A rich mushroom risotto complements the forest-floor aromatics.

What sizes does Faithful Hound come in? Faithful Hound is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Faithful Hound worth the price? Faithful Hound positions as a mid-premium Stellenbosch red, competing with other top-tier Cape Bordeaux blends. Given its consistent 90+ point critical scores across multiple vintages and its inclusion in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, it represents strong value within the five-varietal blend category.

Why Faithful Hound?

Faithful Hound stands out as one of the first five-varietal Bordeaux-style blends produced in the Cape, a distinction that reflects Mulderbosch's pioneering approach to South African winemaking. The deliberate site selection in Bottelary's shale soils gives the wine a terroir signature distinct from most Stellenbosch reds. Critical recognition has been remarkably consistent — from a 91-point score in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2019 vintage) to 92 points from Tim Atkin (2022 vintage) and a place on Wine Spectator's Top 100 in 2014. For drinkers seeking a structured, age-worthy South African red with genuine complexity, this bottling delivers substance well beyond its price bracket.