2015 Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. Hand-harvested and destemmed. Cold maceration in concrete vessels and then fermented at 27–30 °C with frequent pumpovers. After fermentation, a prolonged malolactic conversion occurred naturally in 225-litre barriques. The wine was matured in French oak from the Sylvain and Saury cooperages. Natural cork. Tasted blind. A little green on the nose. Sweet and pleasing on the palate, even if not gorgeous! Still some tannin. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek has a perfumed bouquet, very well defined with black fruit, cedar and wild mint, demonstrating more vigor than its peers, more youthfulness. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy black fruit, quite savory and gamey, pencil lead notes infusing the slightly austere and Médoc-like finish. A bit serious perhaps? Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.
The 2015 Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon had been bottled the previous week to my visit and contains just under 10% Cabernet Franc. The nose is fresh, less minty and perhaps more refined than the 2014, the warmth of the season evident but not dominant. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a dusting of powdered chocolate sprinkled over the dark berry fruit, nicely balanced with tobacco and sandalwood towards the finish.