Mulderbosch

Faithful Hound Merlot Blend 2019

9.1

Really, an earthy nose here... Cherry, yes... But in a way that I'd characterize as savory black forest cake if it was made of compost instead of sweet chocolate... On the palate, the dominant note I think would be graphite, but with the fuzzy tannins in there, it's not in a precise sense... A dull pencil in need of sharpening? At this point I'd probably need to also describe some green here... Green pepper? Tomato plant? Going back to the nose, I get the aroma now too... Gardening... This wine isn't lightweight... A sausage dish is I think where I'd go as far as pairing as there's some acidity here that could be useful for taming fat. We had this one paired with a flank steak, but really I might go to a fattier cowboy steak next time. The longer I enjoy this wine, the longer the finish seems to get... These tannins are a heck of a drug... With every sip, I actually want to savor more and more... A viscious cycle... — 6 days ago

with Anita

Meerlust

Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017

Andrew McIntyre

9.2

Dark cherries and vanilla. Crowd pleaser and a pleasant drink. Went well with Springbock — a month ago

Bob, Ted and 6 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1988

Shay A

9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Fun to open birth year wines around your birthday, especially when you can do a Bordeaux and Napa side by side. While not a great vintage, this held up well after a few hours and presented as expected. Clean and zero Brett. Great color! Deep ruby with hardly any bricking. Leather, cassis, vanilla pipe tobacco on the nose. Sporting a good bit of dusty red and black fruits (mostly tart raspberries and blackberries), there was a little savory truffle note mixed with an herbal and mocha finish. Still quite grippy. Pretty. — 5 days ago

Pinotman, Tom and 18 others liked this

Rust en Vrede

Estate Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark black fruits, smoky herb and woody pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum with cacao, burnt tobacco, vanilla and black pepper. Firm tannins, medium+ finish with fruit and spicy smoky oak ending. Will age a bit, 750 cases imported. — 21 days ago

Jake, Paul and 1 other liked this