ANTHONIJ RUPERT OPTIMA 2020 MAGNUM (1.5Lt)

Compote of red and black berry fruit dusted with baking spice on the nose. Lovely interplay of ripe, yet lively hedgerow and dark fruit with spice, bright succulence and a deeper, earthier cocoa note. Rounded, plush and rich, the wine is elegant, polished and statuesque. Seamless integration of fruit and sympathetic oak adds to the overall impression of harmony. Focused and long with a rewarding finish.

Vigorous and lively bubble with trademark string of pearls rising to the surface. Seaspray, lime zest, chalk and subtler aromas of orange peel is present on the nose. The palate is energetic and tangy with abundant crunchy green apple and lime zip on entry. That vivacity is then tempered and smoothed as the wine morphs into a rich but restrained mouthful of creamy citrus and gentle biscuit from its time on lees. Refined and elegant, it lingers on the aftertaste but never loses its lively youthfulness and seamless integration of fruit, lees and bright acidity.

Complex bouquet of fruitcake, cedar, cocoa and a perfumed whiff of dried lavender. Broad, fleshy and succulent with all of that the nose promises being delivered on the palate. Spice sprinkled cedar with rich dark fruitcake flavour. Wonderfully soft, rounded and silky palate that shows cohesion and refinement. Impressive density and concentration that doesn’t overwhelm. Nor does the oak used in the maturation of this impressive blend. Plush, comfortable and eminently rewarding with a lingering dry tail.

Bold purple plums, black cherries and perfume with subtle edge of cut flower stems on the nose. The palate is taut, needing a bit of time and air to reveal its strata of spicy purple and black berry fruits. There’s an oak edge which lends both spice and structure to the wine while acidity adds freshness and piquancy. Savoury, tangy and tasty with a long tail, it will reward patience.