2009 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is raised in new French oak for 27 months. It has a wonderful lifted bouquet with blueberry, black plum and a touch of seaweed that is well defined. The palate is full-bodied, but the tannins are very fine and allow the pure blackberry and raspberry fruit to flourish all the way to the finish. There is a touch of white pepper and white fennel underneath, but overall, this is a wine of great composure and finesse even if the oak is rather excessive. Drink now-2019. It may still be difficult to pronounce but Boekenhoutskloof continues to affirm itself as one of South Africa's leading estates. Mark Kent is an astute helmsman, branching out to regions beyond his base in Franschhoek, for example, into Swartland for his Syrah. I still feel that he could rein in the new oak a little, but otherwise this is another set of superb South African wines. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.