Spier
Creative Block 5 Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, plums, bell pepper, oak, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth, vegetables, tobacco, barnyard, graphite and black pepper.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, vegetables, river rocks, spices, earth, wet leaves and herbs.
Medium plus in finish with fine tannins and tangy pomegranates.
This South African Bordeaux blend really surprised me. Drinking nicely now and will be better in a few years.
Not fully balanced, yet enjoyable by itself or with food. Exhibits new world characters with an old world feel. Tastes very much like a flashy Right Bank Bordeaux.
Changed every 20 minutes in the decanter, which I really liked. Needs 3 hours to open up properly.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, crackers and olives.
A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit verdot and 3% Malbec.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$25.
Dark ruby in color with a short brick rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, plums, bell pepper, oak, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth, vegetables, tobacco, barnyard, graphite and black pepper.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, vegetables, river rocks, spices, earth, wet leaves and herbs.
Medium plus in finish with fine tannins and tangy pomegranates.
This South African Bordeaux blend really surprised me. Drinking nicely now and will be better in a few years.
Not fully balanced, yet enjoyable by itself or with food. Exhibits new world characters with an old world feel. Tastes very much like a flashy Right Bank Bordeaux.
Changed every 20 minutes in the decanter, which I really liked. Needs 3 hours to open up properly.
I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, crackers and olives.
A blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit verdot and 3% Malbec.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
89 points.
$25.
Great aromas of Dark fruits...love the spicy undergrowth ( underbrush) and hints of vanilla ! Lots of structure and complexity, and we'll balanced mouth feel in this 5 grape blend from South Africa!
Great aromas of Dark fruits...love the spicy undergrowth ( underbrush) and hints of vanilla ! Lots of structure and complexity, and we'll balanced mouth feel in this 5 grape blend from South Africa!
Apr 4th, 2018Elizabeth had this 10 years ago
Elizabeth had this 10 years ago
1 person found it helpfulMar 27th, 2014
A bit linear at first, but as it opens it, it shows its true colors - tobacco, cigar box, and thick creme de cassis on the nose with a whif of mushroom. Pretty concentrated and luscious on the palate, with blackberry compote notes and a bit of violet. The velvety texture of the merlot presents itself throughout and surprisingly, the dark petit Verdot is prevalent despite the small percentage.. Very complex wine for the price.
A bit linear at first, but as it opens it, it shows its true colors - tobacco, cigar box, and thick creme de cassis on the nose with a whif of mushroom. Pretty concentrated and luscious on the palate, with blackberry compote notes and a bit of violet. The velvety texture of the merlot presents itself throughout and surprisingly, the dark petit Verdot is prevalent despite the small percentage.. Very complex wine for the price.
Jul 18th, 2015
Good body. Blackberry followed by dry forest leaves. Complex and refined.
Good body. Blackberry followed by dry forest leaves. Complex and refined.
Nov 26th, 2023
Dark & inky, ripe blackcurrant and cherries, sweet pipe tobacco, bright acidity, balanced tannins, nice medium finish.
Dark & inky, ripe blackcurrant and cherries, sweet pipe tobacco, bright acidity, balanced tannins, nice medium finish.
Jan 15th, 2022
Solidly good Bordeaux Cabernet forward blend. Great value.
Solidly good Bordeaux Cabernet forward blend. Great value.
Mar 13th, 2021
A really wonderful South African Bordeaux style wine. It’s called creative block 5 because it has the five primary Bordeaux grapes blended into a nicely structured red with a complex set of flavours including blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate with hints of woody cedar, leather and cigar box. We decanted for 2 hours and paired it with a grilled ribeye that included our attempt to create the legendary “café de Paris sauce” (green tarragon-based-butter-shallot-white wine sauce) Amazing!
A really wonderful South African Bordeaux style wine. It’s called creative block 5 because it has the five primary Bordeaux grapes blended into a nicely structured red with a complex set of flavours including blackberry, cherry and dark chocolate with hints of woody cedar, leather and cigar box. We decanted for 2 hours and paired it with a grilled ribeye that included our attempt to create the legendary “café de Paris sauce” (green tarragon-based-butter-shallot-white wine sauce) Amazing!
Jun 29th, 2020