January 28, 2023 - Opened 6h early after our previous bottle improved a great deal over many hours after opening. Drinking beautifully now - nothing to add to my earlier comment. As a Bordeaux blend, it was served alongside a favourite 2005 Cru Bourgeois Claret with the beef course at a dinner party and was preferred by many. Later, the Bordeaux overtook this for complexity and character but this excellent classic from S. Africa is remarkable value (half the price of the Bordeaux). John X M is a firm favourite for us and we always give it at least a decade to develop. Open early and give it time to show its quality. Years ahead for this vintage IMO.
December 10, 2022 - This took a while to show at first but, given an hour or more, the nose opened beautifully developing ripe berry fruits with spicy notes. Good colour with only a trace of brown at the rim. The palate seemed slightly lean at first but soon began to show attractive, rich, soft, mainly berry and dark cherry fruit with fragrant blackberries prominent. There were hints of strawberry on the late palate after a couple of hours. Dark plum skin and spice developed with time in the glass. Good balance and acidity. Forward (but soft) tannins and very good length.
Superb with roast duck legs when the soft tannic backbone was a perfect foil.
Well worth keeping until this point and it still has ageing potential if well stored.
May 22, 2022 - dark and thick texture, slight velvet tone, soft, long blended finish
May 5, 2022 - Deep red. More red than dark fruit with pencil lead and a hint of mint on the nose. Beautiful red fruited palate with a nice bead of fine acidity running through the middle, good length. This is really in the zone right now and based on this bottle has at least another 5+ years of prime drinking ahead. I really enjoyed with aged cheeses and smoked deli meats. Fantastic QPR.
December 23, 2021 - Tasting perfectly right now.
November 29, 2021 - Gorgeous plum jam notes.
Was a stunning accompaniment to Sunday roast lamb.
October 20, 2021 - This was a nice surprise that exceeded my expectations. Deep brick in colour, with a nice nose of blackfruits, chocolate, black plums, cedar, tar and scorched earth. Similar flavours on the medium to full bodied palate; a New World, ripe wine, but nicely balanced with good tannins, some complexity and not overdone. Still not at peak yet (B+/A-).
May 3, 2021 - Nose: cherries and strawberries!
Mouth: plums, black currants
Full depth of fruit flavours; possibly almost at its best.
Superb.
August 21, 2020 - The SA funk has matured into a chocolate character. Lively on the palate, still fresh, pretty tannic backbone. Bill notes that I used to say "in the pocket."
May 29, 2020 - Appearance: Deep ruby color
Nose: Medium(+) primary aromas of black fruit (black cherry blackberry), tobacco, tar and toast. Wine is developing.
Palate: Dry, medium(+) acidity, high tannin, high alcohol and full body. Medium(+) flavors of black fruit (black cherry blackberry), tobacco, tar and toast. Finish is medium( +).
Conclusions: Wine is very good. Can drink now but has potential for aging.