Upon opening quite a lot of oak but with time the nose turns fruity with subtle cassis and red fruit flauvors, the palate is equally subtle, cassis, plums, mild spices, hints of sooth, tobacco and licorice, appropriately portioned acidity brings nice freshness, tannins are there but in a supporting role. At this age definitely not a big wine but a tad miniature like which is very attractive. Good and enjoyable now now but will continue to develop.
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Rich and full! Flavours reminiscent of one of my favourite bottles to date, the Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cab Sauv. Brilliantly savoury with just the right amount of fruit and sweetness on the palate to balance things out. The age is showing nicely with notable game and vegetal flavours - could certainly go a bit longer though. Full South African reds always hit a note with me - the ever present notes of sweet tobacco keep me coming back for more!
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Far too big a wine for me. The nose indicates overripe, raisined fruit with aromas of volatile acid, nail polish remover, gasoline, plum jam, eucalyptus, prunes and concrete. The palate is a wall of alcohol (15% declared, feels like more). A pass for me.
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Not particularly complex, but a very pleasant drinker with nice black fruit, light tannins, and subtle eucalyptus/herbal notes that elevate the overall experience. Tannins aren't too stiff -- I would drink this in the next couple of years.
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Black and red cherry with red currant, a little wet tobacco, cab-franc aspect to this, a bit rustic, forest floor, underbrush, but lots of character and a true cab.
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Old World Blind Tasting >$25 (Bin 75): Dark core with reddish purple rim; some vanilla, cassis, purple, iodine, clay, medicinal, blackberry, green pepper, some good freshness to it that makes it very drinkable; would have nailed Stellenbosch Cab as it was textbook.
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Lovely lingering Cab. Liquorice, black fruit leather and earthy cassis tones Deep purple Lively value Decanted and enjoyed over some aged Gouda Buy more Double yum and half!!
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Drank this paired with sirloin, horseradish, broccoli and brown rice. Served at 65F. Decanted for 1 hr. Amazingly dense in the glass with a dark dark purple color. Coffee and tobacco on the nose. Black fruit and graphite in the mouth. Really enjoyed it and seems like a good value to me. Glad I have a few more.
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Opens up with a vegetal aroma that dissipates quite quickly, replaced by mild tart red fruit. Taste follows suit, mild tartness, and a slightly tannic finish. Nothing over powering in this. Decently balanced sipper.
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fruit forward and modern with good balance and medium finish. Detectable tannins but not overwhelming. a little heat, along with some pine, on the nose. Would buy again if looking for a nice new world cab.
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18 months French oak, 33% new. Very clean, expressive nose, sweet oak, tar black currants, grape Nerds/Skittles candy. Better texture to the palate than nose, dry dark fruit extract, leafy tobacco tannins. 87-88
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2/4/2022 - loloFR Likes this wine: 91 Points
Better than expected. Drunk over 3 days. Alcohol on high side but food balanced. Clearly best on the last day.
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12/12/2020 - Lype Likes this wine:
Upon opening quite a lot of oak but with time the nose turns fruity with subtle cassis and red fruit flauvors, the palate is equally subtle, cassis, plums, mild spices, hints of sooth, tobacco and licorice, appropriately portioned acidity brings nice freshness, tannins are there but in a supporting role. At this age definitely not a big wine but a tad miniature like which is very attractive. Good and enjoyable now now but will continue to develop.
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12/1/2016 - thursey7 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Loved it
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4/8/2016 - Wine Ratings Likes this wine: 88 Points
Rich and full! Flavours reminiscent of one of my favourite bottles to date, the Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cab Sauv. Brilliantly savoury with just the right amount of fruit and sweetness on the palate to balance things out. The age is showing nicely with notable game and vegetal flavours - could certainly go a bit longer though. Full South African reds always hit a note with me - the ever present notes of sweet tobacco keep me coming back for more!
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9/17/2015 - RussK wrote: 89 Points
Russk. Extracted and hot
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5/25/2015 - Wine Canuck wrote:
Far too big a wine for me. The nose indicates overripe, raisined fruit with aromas of volatile acid, nail polish remover, gasoline, plum jam, eucalyptus, prunes and concrete. The palate is a wall of alcohol (15% declared, feels like more). A pass for me.
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11/11/2014 - Russfeit Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not particularly complex, but a very pleasant drinker with nice black fruit, light tannins, and subtle eucalyptus/herbal notes that elevate the overall experience. Tannins aren't too stiff -- I would drink this in the next couple of years.
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9/11/2014 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
Black and red cherry with red currant, a little wet tobacco, cab-franc aspect to this, a bit rustic, forest floor, underbrush, but lots of character and a true cab.
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5/25/2014 - HRFishbowl Likes this wine: 92 Points
this cab is developing really nicely right now. let it open up for an hour or so. dark velvety purple. bursting with fruit. stocking up on this one.
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5/3/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Old World Blind Tasting >$25 (Bin 75): Dark core with reddish purple rim; some vanilla, cassis, purple, iodine, clay, medicinal, blackberry, green pepper, some good freshness to it that makes it very drinkable; would have nailed Stellenbosch Cab as it was textbook.
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4/8/2014 - Martnmac wrote: 89 Points
Lovely lingering Cab.
Liquorice, black fruit leather and earthy cassis tones
Deep purple
Lively value
Decanted and enjoyed over some aged Gouda
Buy more
Double yum and half!!
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4/8/2014 - ScubaSommelier wrote: 91 Points
Drank this paired with sirloin, horseradish, broccoli and brown rice. Served at 65F. Decanted for 1 hr. Amazingly dense in the glass with a dark dark purple color. Coffee and tobacco on the nose. Black fruit and graphite in the mouth. Really enjoyed it and seems like a good value to me. Glad I have a few more.
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4/1/2014 - cheetadad wrote: 87 Points
Opens up with a vegetal aroma that dissipates quite quickly, replaced by mild tart red fruit. Taste follows suit, mild tartness, and a slightly tannic finish. Nothing over powering in this. Decently balanced sipper.
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2/20/2014 - Chateau du Fey 1994 wrote: 89 Points
fruit forward and modern with good balance and medium finish. Detectable tannins but not overwhelming. a little heat, along with some pine, on the nose. Would buy again if looking for a nice new world cab.
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1/27/2014 - Giggs wrote: 88 Points
18 months French oak, 33% new. Very clean, expressive nose, sweet oak, tar black currants, grape Nerds/Skittles candy. Better texture to the palate than nose, dry dark fruit extract, leafy tobacco tannins. 87-88
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10/11/2013 - JS1056 wrote: 87 Points
Great nose. nice tannins balanced against the dark fruit. Some licorice and green peppers on the finish.
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