This is a really superb Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa. It’s beautifully put together with seamless structure and real purity of fruit. If I have one criticism of it, however, it is that it lacks a little soul – made very much in the international, placeless modern style, it delivers a great deal of pleasure and will age well, but it doesn’t really engage the intellect. A supermodel of a wine (with apologies to all the really smart supermodels out there).
It is also packaged in the heaviest bottle I’ve ever encountered, with a huge punt. After a few glasses you pick the bottle up and think that there’s about half left when you’ve actually drunk almost all of it. Not very environmentally friendly. But it is an impressive example of South African Cabernet, and will have many admirers. At £17 UK retail it is also good value for money.
Ernie Els Wines Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Stellenbosch
15% alcohol. A very stylish modern wine. The nose shows sweet, pure, smooth blackberry and blackcurrant fruit without any noticeable oak. The palate is lush, sweet and pure with great concentration and some subtly chalky, fine-grained tannins. Some alcohol is evident, adding sweetness and body, but overall this is quite a serious wine in a modern style. There’s structure enough to suggest ageing potential of 10 years. 93/100
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3 Comments on Another serious South African
Yes I have a case or two of this in South Africa but do not intend to touch it for at least another 5 years and probably 10.
I am sure this will age really well and develop into a fine Bordeaux style wine that will fool a few at my Annual Blind Challenge in 2020 or so——–if I am still around!!
I drink a lot of old South African wine. The ones that ages best for 10 years plus, are generally the ones with more elegance (and soul and a sense of where it grew) than the 15%-plus alcohol bombs. There are always a few exceptions, though. I guess time will tell…
The weight of the bottles are a bit ridiculous. Serious lack of concern about the environmental impact the wine industry has.