Tasting Notes
I have been following - and stocking - Reyneke's ethically-, organically- and bio-dynamically produced wines since I set up Wines With Attitude. Johan Reyneke is passionate about non-intervention in grape-growing and wine-making resulting in complex wines. The Chenin Blanc is in a different price bracket to this real treat but is no less complex.
This wine should not be confused with Reyneke's Reserve Red which is 100% Syrah. This 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from the same premium "Reserve" range of Reyneke wines is only the third of its kind. It took six years for the winemaker to produce a wine he was happy with before producing the first vintage, the 2013. It is from a single vineyard on the south eastern slopes of the Polkadraai Hills, overlooking False Bay, and in Reyneke's words is "the best the Reyneke farm has to offer."
This really is amazing; imagine a top class Bordeaux wine, a Grand Cru, that has enough age to see the tannins softened to the point of hardly being noticeable yet still packed with soft black fruit flavours and aromas. It is very fragrant and the blackcurrants, blackberries and hints of red fruit and a little savoury smokiness continue through on the palate, filling the mouth with their ripe juiciness. The texture is like silk and the finish very long indeed; in fact it would be very easy to let this wine glide down far too quickly. It should be savoured. It is not a wine for everyday drinking - it's a real treat!
This wine can be enjoyed now but will keep for a few years yet. It is worth giving this wine chance to open up by opening the bottle an hour or so before starting to drink, by swirling the wine in your glass and by slurping in air as you taste it.
Food Pairing
A really good steak would be the perfect match for this wine. It will match a wide range of foods but don't go for anything too spicy that will mask the wonderful aromas and flavours. Or just pour and savour whilst relaxing.
Producer's Notes
"Concentrated notes of blackcurrant are apparent immediately once the bottle is opened. An elegant & perfumed wine unfolds, with aromas of black cherry, fynbos, spice and cigar-box. The complex palate is layered with dark fr uits, cacao & tobacco. There is a clear graphite and pencil shaving character on the palate, with juicy yet firm tannins leading to a lasting finish. This vintage has an ageing potential of 10+ years if stored in correct cellaring conditions."
Awards
92 points RobertParker.com Oct 2019
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has a denseness to the nose. With classic layers to the core of black fruits, an herbal pencil lead aroma and dusty florals, the wine smells like a serious Cabernet. The palate is still tight as this wine is not yet released the world and should be available in the next year or two. The finish is long, focused and complex. The structure of the wine is built for longevity for the future. If you get one of these bottles in your cellar, it will be your lucky day."
