Decanted an hour before I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with this bottle. Lovely pallet with ripe cherries a hint of tobaccos and some smoke in the distance. Absolutely silky mouthfeel and beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. I really enjoy this one.
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Southafrican terroir is apparent. If you can get over that, this is not a bad wine. From a bottle that was opened the night prior and stored in fridge, so this may affect performance slightly.
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My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.
This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later.
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This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend of the five Bordeaux varietals. It is dark ruby in the glass with a mocha nose. On the palate, the same mocha as well as cedar, black cherry and licorice. Has a lengthy, tannic-dominated finish. Given the stellar reviews elsewhere, I was more than a little underwhelmed.
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2/13/2023 - Stemvers Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted an hour before I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with this bottle. Lovely pallet with ripe cherries a hint of tobaccos and some smoke in the distance. Absolutely silky mouthfeel and beautiful balance between sweetness and acidity. I really enjoy this one.
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6/19/2022 - Lars1974 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smooth and very well made new world bordeaux blend. Really nice right now but no hurry, will hold for several years to come.
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5/31/2022 - Vinogan(s) wrote: 85 Points
Southafrican terroir is apparent. If you can get over that, this is not a bad wine. From a bottle that was opened the night prior and stored in fridge, so this may affect performance slightly.
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12/7/2021 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 92 Points
My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.
This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later.
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9/2/2020 - Dagalaifus Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend of the five Bordeaux varietals. It is dark ruby in the glass with a mocha nose. On the palate, the same mocha as well as cedar, black cherry and licorice. Has a lengthy, tannic-dominated finish. Given the stellar reviews elsewhere, I was more than a little underwhelmed.
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