Cabernet Sauvignon			1988	Kanonkop (South Africa)

7/95. I am not sure whether I had posted a tasting note for this delicious wine, so here goes. First the price: As I have said many times, foreign wines are terribly expensive in Israel. I have seen $7-$10 wines sell for $35-$30. I bought this wine for $22 (for about what I saw it published in the U.S).
This Cabernet Sauvignon is from Kanonkop (the winery) estate in the famous Stellenbosch area near Capetown.
COLOR: Deep violet-red, very sightly paling around the rim.
NOSE: Lovely 'round' red fruit aroma together with a smell that reminds me of a field of a certain wild flower (whose name I don't know in English). The right amount of oak does not mask the fruit and floral scent.
TASTE: Fully mature Cab taste. Different than the Israeli black-berries type, and not like some of the oakful < g > Cal Cabs. Excellent refreshing acidity, tannins almost completely resolved. Very delicate, almost like a good (B). Not very complex taste, but excellent nevertheless.
LENGTH: Comparatively short but pleasing aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: A lightish (12% alcohol) though profound wine. Superb balance between fruit, wood, acidity and alcohol. Very soft and pleasant tannins. A very well-made wine.
OVERALL: An excellent, fully mature, 'every day' (also suitable for 'special occasions' < g >) Cabernet in a different style than what I am used to. Highly recommended!
MARK: 17/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.