Thursday, August 21, 2003
1998 Backsberg Estates Klein Babylonstoren Bordeaux Blend
From South Africa's excellent Paarl region comes this very elegant, forward, layered and supercharged red wine, made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but I suspect that there is some Petite Verdot in the wine, as the structure is long, lush and the wine has the stuffing to age another 5-8 years or more.
The very aromatic nose of berry pie crust, mint and cherries gets your attention right away, before you are swept away by the creamy cassis, black cherry, mild black raspberry and a touch of chocolate on the mouth. The wine is very much Bordelaise, not Californian, and clearly not Australian for it is so Cabernet dominant right now, but the elegance, refined and restrained use of oak, minimal overpowering tannins is not there at all. The merlot is undoubtedly softening the wine the right way. If any region in the world duplicates Bordeaux in style, blends and the likelihood of making look-alike wines it has to be South Africa.
This is one producer who is worthy of being sought out and a vineyard source of outstanding quality.
Cheers,
Andy Abramson
From South Africa's excellent Paarl region comes this very elegant, forward, layered and supercharged red wine, made mostly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but I suspect that there is some Petite Verdot in the wine, as the structure is long, lush and the wine has the stuffing to age another 5-8 years or more.
The very aromatic nose of berry pie crust, mint and cherries gets your attention right away, before you are swept away by the creamy cassis, black cherry, mild black raspberry and a touch of chocolate on the mouth. The wine is very much Bordelaise, not Californian, and clearly not Australian for it is so Cabernet dominant right now, but the elegance, refined and restrained use of oak, minimal overpowering tannins is not there at all. The merlot is undoubtedly softening the wine the right way. If any region in the world duplicates Bordeaux in style, blends and the likelihood of making look-alike wines it has to be South Africa.
This is one producer who is worthy of being sought out and a vineyard source of outstanding quality.
Cheers,
Andy Abramson
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