Tasting Notes:
Bold aromas of ripe brambles, mulberries, blackberries, and cassis dominate an inviting, sophisticated nose with whiffs of graphite and cedar. The complex berry fruit character of the nose follows through onto a juicy palate with flavours of blueberries, plum sauce, and nuances of Cape fynbos, bay leaf, wet gravel, and pencil lead. Fine-grained, powdery tannins and integrated lemony acidity add to the fine structure of the wine and its exceptional balance. Subtle notes of cocoa powder, dark chocolate and oregano persist on a smooth, rich finish.
Reviews:
95 points, Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022
‘"Very dry with very small berries" is how Gottfried Mocke sums up the 2020 vintage in Stellenbosch. Sourced from four vineyards in Faure and on the Helderberg, this is powerful, structured and intense, with lots of body and backbone. Partnering Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Cabernet Franc, it's bold and inky, with classic black cherry and blackcurrant fruit and vanilla-scented 65% new wood. Natural acidity freshens the finish. 2024-32’
JancisRobinson.com17.5
Made with ‘deliberate austerity’ suggests founder winemaker Marc Kent. But it still shows rich, ripe pure Cabernet fruit, chewy tannins but already on the way to smooth. Generous and fresh. A hint of chocolate. The freshness of Cabernet Franc sings on the finish. Gorgeously structured but also generous in fruit. Excellent balance between those two aspects of the wine. The little bit of residual sugar does not show (not to me). Compared with the Franschhoek 2020 Cabernet, I would say this has the edge in freshness and slightly more refined tannins.Anticipated maturity: 2025-2037
