Vuurberg Reserve 2016
I’ve pulled out this bottle, mulled over whether it’s the right time, and returned it to the shelf...a few times.
Until one dark and stormy evening when popping this cork felt like the right move.
The Wine:
Deep ruby with a pronounced nose of raspberry, black cherry, goji berries, pencil shaving (oh, the pencil shavings! It made me wonder how much PV there is in this wine) leather, soy sauce, mushroom, vanilla, cardamom, pepper and smoke.
Dry, full bodied, high acidity, with powerful but silky soft tannins...that sounds odd, I know - when I held the wine in my mouth it’s was intense...but dissipated into silky strokes after swallowing....like when you add too much sugar to your black tea and you can see the texture change as it becomes more viscous and satiny. Dark berries, dark plums, dark chocolate, liquorice, blackberries, cedar, raw green peppers, and the longest finish that’s all spice and dark fruits and cedar. Oh my word, the finish was so long!
I don’t know if it’s the name, but this almost burned my tongue when I hold it in my mouth for a while...in the most deliciously pleasing and warming way. It’s no surprise that this turned out to be 15% ABV.
Vini + Viti:
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Swartland Cinsault (instead of Merlot used in previous vintages). The wines are made by Duncan Rall.
Conclusion:
Balance (½) + Length (1) + Intensity (1) + Complexity (1) = A very good wine.
Drink now, but has potential for much further ageing.
Final Thoughts:
What a pleasure! After all the chardonnay that I’ve been exploring, drinking this wine felt like coming back home. Maybe it’s the chilly weather, maybe it was the mouth stripping chard...or maybe it’s just a muscular, yet elegant, blend that allowed me a moment to sit back and languish its dark and broody qualities.
