Great character in this throwback wine, with a thicket of dark currant, blackberry, tar, beef, chestnut, mineral and sanguine flavors. Long finish is etched with bittersweet chocolate and another layer of really ripe blackberry fruit. Impressive. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Drink now through 2008. 3,080 cases made.??–JM??Region: South Africa / Western Cape / Coastal Region / Stellenbosch / Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Select to Add

A brooding and serious wine, showing very good depth and intense dark cherry and cassis fruit on a nicely structured frame. There’s tobacco and cocoa hints throughout, as well as oak. Finishes long, with firm tannins. Best cellared three or four years, and could easily hold for 10–15. ——M.M.(3/1/2004)—— 90