Ernie Els Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 83+ Points

Ernie Els Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 83+ Points

Clear, day bright, ruby red with purple rim, medium plus concentration, high viscosity, no evidence of gas or sediment.

Clean, medium plus intensity, slight alcohol burn (14.5 ABV) pure Cabernet fruit, ripe, cassis, currant, blackberries, sweet plum, Hoisin sauce, slight jaminess and overripe porty fruit, granite minerals, quite oaky with sweet vanillin and cedar wood, dark chocolate.

Dry to off dry (3+ grams RS?), confirms fruits, but touch sweetness detract from a classic Cabernet, rich style, massaged tannins, wood spice evident, very ripe New World style, low plus tannin, high alcohol, medium acidity (probably acidified), medium complexity, now until 2016.

Served at 12 / 13 degrees Celsius with a rich oxtail stew, thicken with bone marrow.

Slightly OTT style, little more freshness, dryness and perhaps earlier picked as there is lots of “dead fruit” as the wine aerates, would have produce a much higher rating and a more food friendly wine!