Pintia, Tempos Vega Sicilia 2020
Pintia 2020 is opulent yet elegant — generous on the palate while retaining the freshness of a long-aging vintage. Layered aromas of blackberry, graphite, sandalwood and dried Mediterranean herbs. The palate offers black cherry, mocha and liquorice, with sturdy tannins that soften into ripe cherry and milk chocolate on a long, polished finish.
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Tasting Notes
Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino is ruby red in color. The nose presents a complex bouquet of cherries, black cherries and blood oranges that follows over to notes of violets, vanilla, and light balsamic aromas. The palate is fresh, savory with silky, elegant tannins. The long, persistent finish is defined by notes of citrus fruit, delicate spicy aromas and hints of vanilla.
🍒 Natalie MacLean – 96 Points
She calls it “complex and vibrant,” crafted from sustainably grown Sangiovese:
Aromas: Bright cherry, rose petal, wild herbs, bramble leaf, and mint
Palate: Rich, meaty texture with a long, satisfying finish
Pairings: Tagliata steak, wild boar ragù, roast lamb, hard cheeses
She notes it’s enjoyable now but will evolve beautifully through 2034.
Anthonij Rupert Optima 2021
ANTHONIJ RUPERT OPTIMA 2021
37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec
Tendrils of spice add nuance and allure to a nose packed with black berries, hedgerow fruit and some mocha notes. The palate is plush, rounded and pillowy but layered with dark fruitcake flavour, black cherry, baking spice and pencil shavings too. The mouthfeel is complemented by its overall stature and regal refinement. Balanced with seamless integration of oak and ripe, rich fruit with lovely succulence and freshness as well. Complex, supple and silky smooth, the wine is ultimately simply delicious with a superbly long tail
Hartenberg The Megan 2019
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2022
Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2022
Violets, pencil shavings, accents of cigar and pepper this is shows upfront charm but with real seriousness and tension on the palate. There is a vibrancy and juicy cassis profile on the palate with a beautiful line of minerality. Finely etched tannin that melts into the fruit, this is a generous and compelling Cabernet from one of the most exciting producers of the Cape at the moment.
Glenelly Estate Reserve 2017
Glenelly Estate Reserve 2017 is the signature red blend of Glenelly inspired by the classic Claret style of the 1700s, with Cabernet Sauvignon as its backbone, delivering rich cassis, mulberry, cedar, and tobacco notes. Syrah adds red and black cherry flavors with a touch of black pepper spice on the mid-palate. The wine is complex, layering intense fruit with mocha, Christmas cake, sandalwood, and leather. Fresh, fruity acidity balances firm tannins, leading to a clean, dry finish with strong aging potential.
GRAPE VARIETIES 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet franc
91/100 Decanter World Wine Awards 2023: Silver Medal
90/100 International Wine Challenge 2023: Silver Medal
93/100 Tim Atkin MW Special South Africa Report 2021
Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is about completeness, and about structure; balance and harmony; about a mannered, agreeable charm that holds one with both the gentle finger-clasp of flirtation and the needy grip of seduction.
The wine has an evocative maritime, oyster-shell aroma, notes often found in well-schooled Cabernet Sauvignon, but mostly on wines of greater maturity. The saline scent, however, quickly gives way to broody, shadowy notes of autumnal fruit and brittle sun-dried cedar.
Upon the first taste the immediate presence and the wine’s commanding structure leads to a comparison of this Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 with some forms of non-consumable beauty. Evocative statuesque images that came to mind are a Michelangelo statue sculpted from Carrara marble; a leopard on its haunches, the golden spotted hide glowing in the late-afternoon sun as its coiled muscles await signals from the mind to unleash the body onto hapless prey; tennis goddess Aryna Sabalenka pummelling a cross-court forehand past a frozen opponent.
In this wine, the muscled tannins have been sculpted into forms of grace and beauty that bear the whole body from the beginning of the sip to the final sappy throes of its finish. The experience is all encompassing, riveting dense beams of classic wine-flavoured elegance covered with plush, broad layers of dark-fruited tapestries where plum, mulberry and blackcurrant are – at this stage of its development – discernible.
But the lasting impression of Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is the way the wine appears polished to a state of clarity and purity, placing it a long way down on the road to the unachievable destination of perfection. No wine will ever get there, but the distance Meerlust has reached is one only attainable by a remarkable few.
Rupert and Rothschild Classique 2021
Rupert and Rothschild Classique 2021 is the second vintage to include Cabernet Franc in the blend, which lifts the texture making for a more elegant wine, although Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon still dominate the assemblage. This is Classique at it’s best and after 16 months in French oak and a few years in the bottle this vintage is singing! A complex and smoky nose starts off with roasted coffee, cassis, black cherry and earthy spice. The palate is medium to full bodied with seamless tannins and just enough acidity to retain freshness. There’s ripeness and richness on the palate, but it’s not overworked or overripe, it’s balanced and very well made. The wines of Rupert and Rothschild seem to get better with every passing vintage, and Classique 2020 certainly supports that theory.
92/100 Deano da Vino
Raats Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2022
The nose shows dark and red cherry.
Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish.
Blend information: Crafted from 95% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec, this blend showcases the expressive character of these noble grape varieties.
Aging potential: Indulge in the Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2021 now for its exceptional drinkability, or allow it to evolve gracefully with cellaring for another 2 – 5 years.
Food suggestions: Pair this exquisite red with culinary delights such as pork loin with plum and Armagnac sauce, game bird with red wine sauce, or hearty dishes featuring Springbok, Ostrich, Kudu, Karoo lamb, or hard cheeses.
Most Recent Accolades:
2021 – 91 Points Tim Atkin MW
2020 – 91 Points Neal Martin MW Vineous
2020 – 91 Points Tim Atkin MW
Gabriëlskloof Syrah on Sandstone Bot River 2020
The Gabriëlskloof `Syrah on Sandstone` Bot River 2020
From vines that are reaching a good level of maturity, this is a really impressive Syrah from Peter-Allan. Lavender and liquorice, and blackberry fruit mark out a wine that balances the warmth of the site and delicate winemaking.
96/100 Deano da Vino Simply Outstanding!!!!!
