Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Sunday, July 26, 2020 - A blend of Merlot (36%), Cabernet Franc (33%), Cabernet Sauvignon (19%) and Petit Verdot (12%). Aged for 15 months in 300-liter oak barrels. 14,7% alcohol, 2,1 g/l residual sugar, 5,4 g/l acidity and pH 3,74.

Deep and only very slightly translucent dark cherry red color. Still rather youthful and quite fruit-forward nose with aromas of juicy dark plums, some ripe blackcurrants, light green notes of parsley and anise, a little bit of savory wood spice, a hint of tobacco and a touch of campfire smoke. The wine is ripe, concentrated and moderately full-bodied yet not particularly big on the palate with intense flavors of ripe dark plums, juicy blackcurrants, some cedary oak spice, light sooty notes of toasted wood, a little bit of tobacco, a developed hint of raisiny fruit and a touch of minty herbal greenness. The overall feel is very juicy, silky and somewhat sweet-toned but still quite well-proportioned and not overdone. Moderately good balance with the medium+ acidity and firm, quite assertive and pretty grippy tannins. The finish is long, moderately grippy and quite warm with rich and intense flavors of ripe blackcurrants, some sweeter dark plums, light notes of tobacco, a little bit of mocha oak, an umami hint of savory meatiness and a touch of pipe tobacco.

A good, but also rather ripe, somewhat soft and moderately oaky South African red that isn't overdone, but leaning a bit on the voluptuous new world direction. I don't know if it's just the age difference, or if there is a stylistic difference as well, but this feels somewhat softer, sweeter-fruited and more polished than the vintages 2001 and 2003 that were tasted alongside. This seems to lack the thrill and very Bordeaux-like finesse the older two vintages showed. I hope this wine will turn more impressive with age, at least it shows good potential for future development. I'd say this is peaking in 7-10 years. Priced somewhat according to its quality at 36€.

Post a Comment / View forceberry's profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (1,249 views)