5 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, South Africa

"This lip-smacking Bordeaux blend displays alluring aromas and juicy flavors of blackcurrant, ripe brambly berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. Soft, gentle tannins coat the palate, enticing you to take another sip!"

"The nose joyfully lifts from the glass with dark plum, bell pepper and a dash of white pepper that is very well defined and full of energy. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, spicy black fruit laced with dark plum and soy that all leads to a structure, fresh, compelling finish. Superb."

"Quite juicy, this features nice grippy briar and licorice snap notes coursing through the core of steeped black currant and fig fruit. Toasted, but integrated, with the licorice edge hanging nicely on the finish."

"A broody nose of cocoa, dark chocolate and dark berries all cloaked in vanillary new oak that is very well enmeshed. The palate is medium-bodied with a very silky smooth entry: seamless tannins that are almost Burgundian in nature. It is still closed at the moment, but here, the new oak is very well integrated and absorbed into the precocious, sappy dark cherry, blueberry and cassis fruit."

"Aromas of crushed cassis, licorice, violet and woodsmoke, with hints of wild herbs adding to the impression of energy. Concentrated, suave and light on its feet, but more primary today than the refined 2005. The brooding black fruit flavors and serious dusty tannins call for several years of bottle aging, but the wine's harmonious acidity prevents it from coming off as hard. Today I find the 2005 to be a bit more minerally and expressive but this should age beautifully too."

"The superb 2005 Lourens River Valley has a touch of Petit Verdot in the blend. My immediate impression upon nosing this wine was: Pauillac comes to Saint Emilion. The palate is very well knit with good acidity and firm tannins. It is dry and masculine on the entry, but the Cabernet Franc is very expressive towards the finish with touches of green bell pepper and dried herbs. Very refined and demonstrating good persistence, this is an excellent wine."