Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!

Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.

I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.

The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.

The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.

A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.

Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation. — a month ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 3 months ago

Hermes Cuello

9.1

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2015 is a legendary South African natural sweet wine, crafted from Muscat de Frontignan. Rich and opulent, it offers layers of honey, apricot, orange peel, and exotic spice, balanced by vibrant acidity. Lusciously sweet yet fresh and elegant, with a long, refined finish. — 2 months ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.0

3/19/26 - Boma African buffet - 2025 vintage - really solid chard — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2024 | modern made pinotage: vanilla, fruit and coffee. Elegance. Basic wine with incredible good p/q. — 3 months ago

David White

9.3

Forrester’s Mighty Chenin
Excellent nose and palate of citrus lemon limes melons and long lasting flavours. One of the best Cape Chenin’s over the years.
Top stuff — 3 months ago

David White

9.3

Classic well structured Cab Sauvignon at 7 years entering the twilight zone- clean and expressive flavours of cedar tobacco and pencil shavings and earthy traits . This seems to be developing better than 2018 which I must try again for comparison. — 2 months ago

Day Watson

10

Fruit forward, medium bodied, some acid, spice, a splash of tannin. Well rounded! So worth your time. — 2 months ago

Peter Montoleone

9.4

Drinking really well right now! — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2015 | dark colour, morello cherries, sweet smoked bell pepper, sweetness and elegance — 3 months ago