2006 Mr De Compostella

26% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon,18% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 8% Merlot. Each variety spent 12 months in barrel before being blended to 60% new and 40% second fill French oak for a further eight months. Total 20 months' maturation. Components for the wine selected by blind tasting. TA 5.9 g/l, RS 2 g/l Very slightly herbal on the nose. Rich, thick soft chocolatey tannins. Extremely smooth and a slight floral note on the mid palate. Lovely freshness. Natural, earthy flavours. Some cedary notes. Fine and fresh. Dry, fine-grained tannins on the finish and velvety length. The fine herbal fresh note on the nose is really important for the overall balance. There seems to be a focus on getting the best expression of the varieties rather than on expressing a specific origin and Mzokhona Mvemve confirms that they seek out the best pockets of fruit for each variety. (JH)

(a five-variety Bordeaux blend; just the third release for this wine) Medium ruby. Complex, claret-like aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, licorice, tobacco and cedar, plus an exotic whiff of honey. Tactile and penetrating, offering a captivating combination of ripe black fruit flavors and energy. Plenty of stuffing here but light on its feet. Finishes with refined dark fruit and cedar flavors and very fine tannins. The most impressive vintage yet for this joint venture of Mzokhona Mvemve (who owns Sagila Wines) and Bruwer Raats.