Reyneke
Cornerstone Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, Western Cape, South Africa
Johan Reyneke’s Cornerstone blend is a match for many a decent Bordeaux, and in the 2018 vintage is particularly good. Replete with classical aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and cedar, the palate follows with great elegance, structure and a chalky, long finish. If anything, I’d prefer a little more savoury character as this tends towards sweetness (but not over-extraction), but it’s young right now! It’s extraordinary how inexpensive this wine is - it would knock the socks of some Bordeaux Crus Classés in a blind tasting.
Johan Reyneke’s Cornerstone blend is a match for many a decent Bordeaux, and in the 2018 vintage is particularly good. Replete with classical aromas of cassis, pencil shavings and cedar, the palate follows with great elegance, structure and a chalky, long finish. If anything, I’d prefer a little more savoury character as this tends towards sweetness (but not over-extraction), but it’s young right now! It’s extraordinary how inexpensive this wine is - it would knock the socks of some Bordeaux Crus Classés in a blind tasting.
Oct 6th, 2023With 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+
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+
This is a blend of; 37% Cabernet, 36% Merlot and 27% Cab Franc.
The nose is beautiful. Dark currants, blackberries, bright, ripe, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries notes, dark red cola with liqueur notes, dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, vanilla, saddle-wood, dark rich soil, some fresh tobacco leaf with fresh dark red/blue florals.
The body is just full. Big, dark, meaty, tarry and chewy sweet tannins. The fruits are ripe and slightly candied. Dark currants, blackberries, bright, ripe, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries notes, dark red cola with liqueur notes, dark chocolate, strong dark spice with palate heat, clove, mocha, salted caramel, vanilla, wood plank, dark rich soil, some cigar with ash, loads of graphite, with fresh dark red/blue florals. The acidity is round and lovely. The structure, tension, length and balance are still big but show great promise. The long finish is beautiful but, will need 5-8 years before it reveals its true beauty.
Photos of; their beautiful mountain view from their Cellar Door, happy cows grazing on their back hillside property, block letters that spell out their name on the tasting room mantle and the entrance to Reyneke.
This is a blend of; 37% Cabernet, 36% Merlot and 27% Cab Franc.
The nose is beautiful. Dark currants, blackberries, bright, ripe, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries notes, dark red cola with liqueur notes, dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, vanilla, saddle-wood, dark rich soil, some fresh tobacco leaf with fresh dark red/blue florals.
The body is just full. Big, dark, meaty, tarry and chewy sweet tannins. The fruits are ripe and slightly candied. Dark currants, blackberries, bright, ripe, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries notes, dark red cola with liqueur notes, dark chocolate, strong dark spice with palate heat, clove, mocha, salted caramel, vanilla, wood plank, dark rich soil, some cigar with ash, loads of graphite, with fresh dark red/blue florals. The acidity is round and lovely. The structure, tension, length and balance are still big but show great promise. The long finish is beautiful but, will need 5-8 years before it reveals its true beauty.
Photos of; their beautiful mountain view from their Cellar Door, happy cows grazing on their back hillside property, block letters that spell out their name on the tasting room mantle and the entrance to Reyneke.
16.5+/20 (90+/100) Травянистый аромат с нотами черники, мяты и карамели. Тельное с умеренной кислотностью. Танины интенсивные и вяжущие. Молодо.
16.5+/20 (90+/100) Травянистый аромат с нотами черники, мяты и карамели. Тельное с умеренной кислотностью. Танины интенсивные и вяжущие. Молодо.
May 6th, 201913/IV/2017
В аромате чёрная смородина, смородиновый лист, пыль, чёрный перец горошком, мята. Полное тело, во вкусе много спелых чёрных ягод, стружка горького шоколада, тонкий дым. Мягкие танины, средний уровень кислотность. 16/20
13/IV/2017
В аромате чёрная смородина, смородиновый лист, пыль, чёрный перец горошком, мята. Полное тело, во вкусе много спелых чёрных ягод, стружка горького шоколада, тонкий дым. Мягкие танины, средний уровень кислотность. 16/20
Ваниль, фиалки, земля, смордина — экспрессивный бордобленд
Ваниль, фиалки, земля, смордина — экспрессивный бордобленд
Aug 7th, 2016
Very savoury. Almost old world in style. Liquerice cedar menthol with salty bonedry but mouthwatering finish
Very savoury. Almost old world in style. Liquerice cedar menthol with salty bonedry but mouthwatering finish
May 28th, 2015