Panel chairman's choice: April 2010
Panel chairman's choice
Looking for a personal recommendation? Christian Eedes discusses the wines that particularly stood out for him during this month's blind tastings.
INVESTMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Spier - Woolworths True to Terroir The Hutton 2007
WOOLWORTHS PRICE: R95
A Woolworths wine made by Spier to demonstrate the relationship of variety to site. There's currently prominent oak on both the nose and palate but also a core of ripe cassis fruit that suggests that maturation will be well rewarded. Double gold at Veritas 2009. CE' score: 17/20.
INVESTMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
★ ★ ★ ✩ THREE AND A HALF STARS
La Motte 2007
CELLAR PRICE: R107
Hint of mint as well as cassis on the nose. The palate shows good fruit expression, well-judged oak and fresh acidity. Grapes from Walker Bay, Paarl, Darling, Stellenbosch and Wellington, each supposedly making a different contribution to the overall flavour profile. CE's score: 17/20.
INVESTMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Laibach The Widow's Block Single Vineyard 2006
CELLAR PRICE: R210
Currently rather closed, this wine is nevertheless rich and weighty. Oak is prominent on both nose and palate at this stage, but there's a core of dark fruit indicating serious age-worthiness. From the best 20 rows of the farm's oldest vineyard. CE's score: 17/20. INVESTMENT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
★ ★ ★ THREE STARS
Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2006
CELLAR PRICE: R310
A single-vineyard wine from one of the Cape's most celebrated properties, the 2006 promises much, despite currently being rather shut down. A brooding nose and a very concentrated, full palate with dark fruit and fine, mouth-coating tannins. 100% new French oak for 20 months. CE's score: 17/20.
