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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Always trying to spread the love and give a little bit of knowledge about South African wines. We decided to bring a solid Bordeaux Blend to share with some new friends at Hatchet Hall in LA.
Deep and dark ruby red with purple hues. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel, cassis and dark black cherries. Medium plus dry tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Definitely benefited from the short decant. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, minerality, and some sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (92+)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark purplish ruby red. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel and cassis. Heavy dry tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, crushed rocks, nutmeg, cinnamon, and some sweeter spices too. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ninth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium to deep ruby red. Muted nose to start with notes of iron, cassis, dark sweet spices, and cocoa. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Almost caramel like on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Nice level of richness and very long finish. Drink till 2028.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Light bark nose - This was a PNP - youthful with good acidity in the finish.
This could be a 90 to 92 with some decanting. Good back bone and drinkable - The Cab and merlot do not overpower and the other varietals are there but in balance with a little kick in the backbone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby red. Savory notes on the nose, a bit meaty, cherries and herbal notes. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. A little bit of bitter dark cocoa, leather, herbal notes, and dark cherries. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2028.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Second red wine at Table #4 at Oakton Wine Shops Bucket List Tasting.
Deep ruby red with a touch of garnet. Mute nose to start but still tight with barnyard and meaty undertones. Some dark berries, and perfume. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) with a rich palate. Dark berries, gravel, spices and twigs. Full bodied with a long and dry finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
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.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2019 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS #142; Vertical De Toren Fusion V plus some ringers (By RG): Beautiful bouquet with dark berries and good oak. Same on the palate, vanilla, juicy dark berries, some red berries , sweet spices and licorice. Chocolate, good acidity, round tannin and still a good future. Refined wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2018 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 92 Points
Always trying to spread the love and give a little bit of knowledge about South African wines. We decided to bring a solid Bordeaux Blend to share with some new friends at Hatchet Hall in LA.
Deep and dark ruby red with purple hues. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel, cassis and dark black cherries. Medium plus dry tannins (7.5/10) and medium plus to full bodied. Definitely benefited from the short decant. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, minerality, and some sweet spices. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (92+)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2018 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 92 Points
Dark purplish ruby red. Dark spices on the nose with some gravel and cassis. Heavy dry tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with notes of dark red berries, crushed rocks, nutmeg, cinnamon, and some sweeter spices too. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2030.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2018 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Ninth red wine at our annual DMV South African wine tasting. Medium to deep ruby red. Muted nose to start with notes of iron, cassis, dark sweet spices, and cocoa. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. Almost caramel like on the palate with vanilla and dark berries. Nice level of richness and very long finish. Drink till 2028.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2017 - cab blends Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light bark nose - This was a PNP - youthful with good acidity in the finish.
This could be a 90 to 92 with some decanting. Good back bone and drinkable - The Cab and merlot do not overpower and the other varietals are there but in balance with a little kick in the backbone.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2017 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby red. Savory notes on the nose, a bit meaty, cherries and herbal notes. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. A little bit of bitter dark cocoa, leather, herbal notes, and dark cherries. Dry and long finish. Drink till 2028.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2017 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Second red wine at Table #4 at Oakton Wine Shops Bucket List Tasting.
Deep ruby red with a touch of garnet. Mute nose to start but still tight with barnyard and meaty undertones. Some dark berries, and perfume. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) with a rich palate. Dark berries, gravel, spices and twigs. Full bodied with a long and dry finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2017 - Elvis1969 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ett kraftpaket med fatkaraktär. Saknar kanske lite syra men bra.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment