Richly seductive with its mélange of black fruits, spice, tobacco leaf, and a captivating floral hint on the nose. Those same opulent berry compote notes are apparent in the mouth: raspberry, blue, and black berries with some violets and nutty spice reminiscent of toasted pecans and hazelnuts. Taut, focused, and reflective of an excellent vintage, the wine has yet to unfurl and show its true colours. It's harmonious, graceful, and richly textured, with a lovely oak platform, but it'll benefit from more aging to reveal its full complexity. Long, impactful, and memorable flavour.
Enveloping rich fruitcake aromatics with a hint of charcuterie alongside spice. The flavours are bold. Inky, deep, dark and dense blue and black fruit with a dry, spicy oak grip that the grape variety is noted for. Powerful yet restrained, the oak is unmistakeably prominent but balanced by the concentration of the ripe dark berry flavours. Structured with dry tannin grip and a long, rich tail. Not for the fainthearted.
Complex bouquet of black berry fruits, rich fruitcake, tobacco, herbs and even a subtle note of violets. The palate is superbly refined, elegant and poised with the rounded rich black cherry-, plum- and cassis notes countered by spice, cedar and deeper leather and tobacco leaf/cigar box flavours. Powerful but restrained. The oak is effortlessly integrated and supports the fruit harmoniously. Complex, long and richly rewarding. An aristocrat of a wine.
The nose is immediately alluring with floral delicacy, cassis and spicy Christmas cake aromatics. A mélange of black berry fruit with spice, tobacco leaf and cedar flavours are immediately apparent on the rounded, silky, smooth palate. Layered and rich, there is a sensation of leashed power with a supple muscularity apparent in the seamlessly integrated oak and fruit balance. Classic, refined and rewarding, the wine is elegant, harmonious and long.
Seductive bouquet of blue and black berry compote with a gentle herb and violet sheen backed by a subtle earthy note. The palate is sensual, sleek and supple initially before a muscular oak grip announces itself. Those same blue and black berries and plum fruits are apparent, along with a spicy cedar and light vanilla nuance and herbaceous and earthy undertone. Overall, it’s cohesive and structured with everything in place but there’s a notable brooding muscularity and restrained power with sufficient freshness to balance, which bodes well for maturation. Harmonious and long.
The nose is complex, with a typical herbaceous undertone, spicy notes, cocoa powder and graphite, and dark fruitcake notes. On the palate, the same rich dark chocolate, fruitcake, and cedar flavors, as well as tomato plant flavors, are present. The wine has a comforting and enveloping texture. It is long, sleek, and refined, with dry, fine tannins that show a good use of oak. It's as composed and assured structurally, with none of the layered elements dominating. At the end, the blackberry fruit is ripe and succulent.
Gentle wax sheen on the blueberry, plum, and fynbos nose. Supple, rounded, and soft, with mouthwatering flavours of spicy and blueberries. Graphite, ink, and cocoa powder flavours combine to create a mouthful that is both complex and satisfying. The oak is beautifully integrated and provides structure without overpowering the juicy fruit and allows for a long lingering finish on this sophisticated wine.
Instant seduction of violet, blackberry, cherry, cocoa, spice and fruitcake perfume. Black Forest gateau in one whiff. Those same ripe and rich flavours are found in the mouth which is soft, rounded, plush and embracing – but with a dry tail. Supple, textured and elegant it offers up concentration, structure as well as a velvety appeal. Layered, nuanced, cohesive and rewarding.
Violet, blackberry, cherry, cocoa, spice, and fruit-cake scents instantly seduce. In a single whiff, classic Black Forest gateau. The mouth is soft, rounded, velvety, and loving with a dry tail with the same ripe and rich flavors. It is supple, textured, and elegant, offering focus, structure, and a velvety appeal. Layered, complex, cohesive, and satisfying.
Tempting herb notes overlay riper plum and berry fruit aromas. In the mouth hedgerow fruit or berries and plum flavours are joined by deeper, darker inky nuances of cocoa and cedar. A deceptively soft textured palate also shows intensity with spice and earthiness and some powerful muscularity from time in oak. The tannins are integrated and add structure and grip as well as a dry, oak element to the long fruited tail. Complex and delightful, will benefit from further ageing.
Mixed spice mingles with dark plum punctuated by whiffs of leather on the nose. The palate follows through with interesting flavours of clove and savoury smokiness. The palate delights with a soft and focused tannin structure and lingering after taste.
Subtle mint and eucalyptus edge to bold black cherry and soft dark berry fruit aroma. Christmas cake, packed with rich black fruits, spice, cinnamon and cedar can be found on the palate. Soft textured and velvety with a distinct plushness and ease, the oak harmonizes well with the fruit profile, supporting it seamlessly. Superbly representative of another great vintage, it boasts a long, rewarding finish.
Ample plum and baked red stone fruit with a subtle hint of meat and smoke on the nose. The textured palate is supple, lithe and pliable with a melange of plum and black fruits livened by a vibrant spicy pepperiness. The oak is well knit and seamless, contributing structure and body with its fine, dry tannin but a good line of acid adds freshness. Smooth, ripe, confident and refined with a long tail.
Tempting aromas of dried lavender, violet and fynbos with tendrils of spice alongside ripe black cherry, plum and blueberry fruit. Those same blue and black fruit flavours are found on the focussed, complex palate. Simultaneously spicy and succulent but balanced with fine, dry tannin. Taut with good restraint. Very composed and sleek with grip and a delightful rich, earthy tail.
A mix of ripe, dark blue and black berries and plum fruit, brushed with spice and herbs. Succulent entry to the mouth with immediate plump, plush blueberry and plum. That rounded berry vibrance makes way for a squeeze of chalky tannin and dry oak grip which balances the fruit well. Lovely inky licorice adds intrigue. Suave, genteel and elegant with a glossy, smoothly varnished long farewell.
