Cost: R85;
From: Kaapzicht Estate, Bottelary Hills (0)21 906 1620;
Why: Slaves to the annual Platter sighted wine guide will be disappointed to not find the 2008 vintages of both the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from this Bottelary Hills stalwart in the book this year. Strange omissions both, as when the Good Value Guru and I popped around for a tasting three months before the guide was released, we were offered the 2008s, both of which are a serious step up on the 2007 vintage. By the time the pointy headed pundits finally get to the 2008s, they’ll most likely be all sold out.

Danie Steytler from Kaapzicht

The 2008 Cab boasts intense cassis fruit with a lingering aftertaste. In a word: “spectacular.” It wears its 14.5% alcohol elegantly. It was the best Cabernet we’d found by the end of August.

If you intend pressing on further up the hill to Mooiplaas, be advised that the road has changed and if you head straight, you’ll end up in Danie Steytler’s bad ass vineyards. A tricky position to be in a Honda Ballade.

Rating: *****

*****: Crème de cassis
****: Loganberry liqueur
***: Bilberry tea
**: Blackcurrant surprise
*: Blueberry fool

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