Neil Ellis’s flagship 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Selection has a very expressive nose of dusty black fruits, dried blood, mushroom and a touch of sandalwood all with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannins with impressive freshness and acidity. The finish offers touches of mocha and cedar that linger nicely in the mouth. This is a very fine Cabernet with plenty of character.Neil Ellis was a glaring omission from my report last year, so it is time to remedy that situation with one of Stellenbosch’s most consistent producers. Neil Ellis himself worked at KWV and Groot Constantia before bottling wines under his own name in 1986. He was then joined by winemaker Hans Peter Schroder and in 2006 by Neil’s son Warren Ellis.Importer: Vineyard Brands Inc, Birmingham AL; Tel: (205) 980-8802.