On the palate is great black cherry, oak and a little tartness in the back of the mouth. The tannins are smooth but certainly present enough to give the mouthfeel a little bite (in a good way).

The finish has all the complex qualities of the nose, and those flavors last longer than you’d expect. It’s my favorite part of this wine.

Actually, my favorite part of this wine is the price, since I know it’ll help my friends’ daughter get those eventual buckteeth taken care of. If you’re planning on having a gaggle of kids, grab a few bottles of this. It’ll be at its peak in a couple/few years anyway.

Cheers,
TSW

Obsessed fans, rather, long-time readers of Wilder on Wine will remember the piece I wrote from VinItaly 2003 on the great South African reds at the show. South Africa has a few regions that are making some outstanding wines, and Stellenbosch is one of ‘em. Finally, some great reds from this part of the world are becoming more available internationally. You may not find them at every corner market, but good wine stores are stocking more and more of them.

I know this dear couple that somehow seems to be having a child about every six months. While each new bundle of joy is a big reason to celebrate, it’s also another mouth to feed, fill with braces, and send off to eat bad university cafeteria food.

That’s why a wine like this cab is such a great find. For under $20 you get a bottle of something that tastes like it cost $40. No one at the party will have any idea that this kid’s celebratory bottle was less than her siblings’, and she might get those swim lessons after all.

The color is a deep, classically-cab garnet. It’s a pretty wine.

The nose is complex and balanced as beautifully as the wine looks. Currant, oak, earth, a little sage -- there's even a hint of eucalyptus there -- along with the smoky smells of a wood fire.