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.
Enveloping aromas of leather, cigar box, tobacco leaf and spice with ripe fruity notes of plum and black berries. The overall impression is one of refinement and elegance – albeit on a powerful but suave palate. Those same dark fruit compote notes are found in the mouth, with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg vibrance alongside. Beautifully textured, with a plush, softness and approachability which belies the nuanced impression of a darker, more potent leashed muscularity lurking below. It’s almost impossible to discern where fruit ends and oak begins so superbly meshed and harmonious are these components. There is nothing harsh, hard or astringent on this version of a grape cultivar known for it. Attractively dry and generous with a lingering spicy farewell.
Layered nose of inviting tea leaf, violets, dark Christmas cake and black cherries. The palate is also layered, rich with those same elements – Christmas cake sumptuousness vying with brewed tea, tomato leaf and spicy, cedary hints from time in barrel. Seductive, plush and elegantly refined but with a muscular power lurking deep down, this is an impressive, structured but rewarding wine. The integration of wood and fruit is impressive and it is beautifully balanced and long. The aftertaste lingers.
Rich Christmas pudding with spice and a hint of dried flowers on the nose. The palate offers instant appeal in its warm, smooth, richly fruited entry. Lovely interplay of flavour and texture – dark chocolate, blueberries, a touch of liquorice and dried herbs set against an earthy depth and integrated frame of polished oak.
Delicate hints of lavender add interest to the nose which boasts poached plum, spice, dried herbs and polished oak. The mouth is rich and rounded with beautiful velvety smooth texture. All of which serves as a backdrop to the flavours of black fruits, plum compote, baking spices and herbs. A light sprinkling of pepper and fynbos adds vibrance while the oak is seamlessly meshed providing a frame for the whole mouthful.
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.
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.
Appealing raspberry and plump cherry fruit aromas. The same succulence and rounded juicy dark fruit continues on the palate – with standout plum, cherry and raspberry flavours. A light baking spice nuance adds to the complexity and gentle Christmas cake appeal, along with supportive, seamless oak balance. Smooth textured and long with an enticing, dry yet fruited finish.
Aromas reminiscent of Christmas pudding – spice, dark plum, cherry and berry fruit. Hint of mint too. That lively spice and plum pudding interplay continues in the mouth. The palate is compact and cohesive rather than big, bold and full bodied. The oak counters the ripe fruit, providing backbone and staying power with an impressively long, dry finish.
The bouquet offers up shy plum and black fruit with a trace of roasting coffee beans. The palate is taut, controlled and appears leashed, ready to reveal its true range of flavours: spicy plum and blackcurrant notes brushed with a touch of fynbos. There is a good platform of oak which will meld ever more agreeably with the rich fruit notes over time. The finish is long and succulent and reveals an interesting saline nuance.
Subtle spice and floral delicacy underpins bright plum and raspberry fruit on the nose. Soft-textured, warm and rounded entry to the mouth. The raspberry and plum flavours are immediately present, beautifully vibrant and succulent. Notes of dry herb, fynbos and a darker licorice element, all sympathetically cradled by well integrated, unobtrusive oak. Complex but comforting and approachable with a delightfully long, peppery tail.
Intriguing and alluring melange of fynbos, soft Agen prune, pepper, berry compote and licorice with both an earthy and floral edge. The initial impression on the palate is all ripe blue and black fruit – and the power associated with them, but then it softens and becomes altogether more tempting with deeper cocoa powder and buchu flavours. The texture and mouthfeel is velvety and smooth, so supple and seamless – as is the use of oak. The wood provides a frame or skeleton but never imposes itself. The harmony of tannin and fruit is impressive and superbly meshed.
Typical cherry, plum, spice and forest floor aromas. Light smoke whiff too. A suave, supple and confident mouthful of red berry fruit which combines with smooth, silky texture. Integrated and harmonious with seamless oak and appealing dry spice notes throughout. Impressive length of flavour.
Typical cherry, plum, spice and forest floor aromas. Light smoke whiff too. A suave, supple and confident mouthful of red berry fruit which combines with smooth, silky texture. Integrated and harmonious with seamless oak and appealing dry spice notes throughout. Impressive length of flavour.
