With an absolutely pitch-perfect nose, the 2017 Reyneke Cornerstone, a Bordeaux blend from that famed region of Stellenbosch in the Cape, sports impressive aromas of steeped plum, cassis, fresh pencil shavings and cedar, alongside allspice and a hint of vanilla.
The palate is concentrated - thick, almost - with tremendous clarity to the fruit, which pulsates across the mouth with great poise. All of this is kept in check by very fine grained tannins, good acidity and a bitter cocoa note on the long finish.
Impressive stuff.
94+ — 3 years ago
Popped, 1.5 hrs slow ox. Used a Durand to open, and the cork was probably penetrated 7/8 of the way through with a soft crimson hue, but probably could have opened this with a regular corkscrew. A sublime bottle of wine. I adore this BDX vintage, and this btl was no exception. Pitch perfect aromas of soft cedar, charcoal, smoke, dries bluberry and raspberry. Gorgeous on the palate, with a still present juicy acidic core, lovely density, waves of dried fruit, secondary and tertiary flavors and a very soft tannic finish. — 3 years ago
Nicely done- 2018 vintage — 3 years ago
Nose: pleasant pine. Herbal.
Palate: massively dense. Pineapple. Huge acidity. Rich. Vibrant. Quite good. The density is really impressive but still pitch perfect acidic balance. Great winemaking.
Drink now between 0-60 minutes after open.
Bought from fass selections — 3 years ago
A lovely showing. On the nose: wild strawberry, cherry, cocoa powder, earth, soft funk. On the palate: fantastic density and acidity, soft game, cocoa, wild strawberry, and closes with soft, very finely grained tannin. This is pitch perfect Clos de la Roche. Stunning. — 4 years ago
Almost pitch black in colour - very dense. Barb said Liquorice and Dark Chocolate - also lashings of blackberry. Extremely rich, concentrated fruit. Possibly the richest most full bodied French dry red I’ve ever had. Interesting to compare with the Catena Zapata Malbec a week ago. The Argentinian Malbec coming from high country was more elegant. I must try more Malbec from Cahors. Made for a BBQ Steak. A silky palate finishing with very dry tannins. Bought at Hedonism in Mayfair London several years ago. I have never seen this producer available in Australia. — 2 years ago
Tom Casagrande
Gorgeous Gewurz nose of lychee, musky florals, and some clean mountain stream stones. Drier styled in the mouth. Upfront fruit and minerality, a little countering bitter component on the finish. Just about pitch perfect. — 2 months ago