Critics Ratings

2004:
'From original 1985 cab vyd, single clone with distinctive mintiness long associated with this farm. 04, inevitably dubbed ‘The Full Minty’, obliges with striking ripe cassis/menthol scents, plus spicy oak. If fruit tone is modern (love it or hate it), structure is pure cab: tight & fresh, bracing tannin & length to promote good few yrs maturation. 20 mths new Fr oak. IWC gold.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2007, 4.5*

'Silky and fine-grained, showing lovely mint and cocoa powder aromas, with fine acidity and red plum and currant fruit followed by more mint, sage and tobacco on the finish. Drink now through 2009. ' - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 90/100 (Apr 2007)

2005:
'So called, this selection, because it tastes of mint. Actually not as obviously minty/eucalyptus as some Australian and Chilean examples but quite savoury and satisfying. Round on the palate, very delicate and lively. A gentle touch. Well done and not too ridiculously expensive for the quality.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Apr 2008)

'Name refers to 22-yr-old single clone vineyard with distinctive mint character. 2004’s typical Cab structure proved fair foil to its ‘modern’ fruit tone. 2005 in similar vein; fine-grained tannins reveal dollops bright cassis, spearmint. 20 months French oak, 100% new. For cellaring 5+ yrs.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2008, 4.5*

2006:
'Gets distinctive character (& name) from 23-yr single-clone vineyard. 2006 has suave cassis fruit, restrained yet firm tannins; takes 14.3% alc in its elegant stride to endless finish. ‘Modern’ tone, like 2004. Keep 5+ yrs. Oak as for Cab.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2009, 5*

'Savory, sultry dark chocolate, red berry and pepper aromas lead into full, rich black currant, plum and pepper flavors in this alluring Cabernet. Full-bodied and spicy but with a velvety mouthfeel, the wine has power and elegance.' - Susan Kostrzewa, Wine Enthusiast, 90/100 (Sep 2009)

2007:
‘Gorgeous mint and warm coffee aromas give way to a plush, stylish core of black currant, melted fig and açaí berry flavors. Roasted vanilla, loam and black tea notes weave through the finish. Seamless, complex and long. Drink now through 2015.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Apr 2010)

'Distinctive character (& name) from 24-yr-old single-clone vineyard. Serious 07 built for cellaring: dense black fruit, lots of freshness & substantial tannins, evident wood from 20 months cask, 45% new. Riper vintage not as minty as standout 2006.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2010, 4.5*

‘Bright medium ruby. Cassis, licorice and eucalyptus on the nose. Supple, sweet and lush but dominated by cassis fruit today; loads of early appeal here but not yet showing its complexity. Less minty in the mouth than some earlier vintages of this wine. Finishes broad and sweet, with surprisingly suave tannins and a late note of licorice.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (Mar 2011)

2008:
‘The 2008 The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon was raised in 50% new French oak for 18 months and it does what it says on the tin with precocious scents of mint and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with a supple, pure entry with plush ripe red-berried fruit, very well integrated oak and a silky smooth, caressing finish. This is a classy Stellenbosch Cabernet that should age well. Drink now-2018.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Aug 2011)

‘There's no doubt as to why they call this wine “The Mint,” as the first whafts of the bouquet provide an unquestionable mentholated aroma with a backdrop of black plum and currant fruit. Glimmers of crushed violet petals and mocha develop in the silky mouth, with the fine well-integrated tannins sticking through the lingering close. Enjoyable now but cellar-worthy for another couple of years.’ — Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 91/100

‘Bright red-ruby. Blackberry, bitter chocolate and violet on the nose, with the typical peppermint element of this bottling. Dense and deep but youthfully tight, with suave black fruit and mint flavors supported by harmonious acidity and a strong tannic spine. As young as it is, it's seamless from the start. A classic vintage for this wine, but it needs time in bottle.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91+/100 (Mar 2011)

2009:
‘Name-giving herbaceous note prominent but in harmony with serious fruit on big, impressive 2009, whose power doesn't preclude charm. Strongly built, with 10 years to go - still very youthful.' - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2012, 4.5*

'Good red-ruby. Highly perfumed nose combines currant, eucalyptus, wild herbs and licorice pastille. Richer and deeper than the basic cabernet bottling, with smooth dark berry flavors accented by mint and herbs. Here the tannins are sweet and noble, allowing the dark fruit and herb flavors to carry well on the long aftertaste. Yes, The Mint is minty, but it has the courage of its convictions.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 91/100 (May 2013)

‘The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon The Mint does exactly what it says on the tin, with a well-composed minty nose that is not powerful but is crisp and lively. The palate is well balanced with ripe, tensile tannins, crisp acidity and pure blackberry and raspberry fruit laced with (you guessed it...mint!) It is a very fine Cabernet to enjoy over the next 6 to 8-years. Drink now-2020.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Dec 2012)

‘2010:
‘It’s partly the clone and partly the proximity of eucalyptus trees, but this wine does exactly what it says on the label. Its very minty indeed, but there’s plenty of other things going on, too: herbal, tealeaf notes, with bright cassis, sweet vanilla oak and a long finish. Drink 2013-20.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2013, 94/100

‘The herbal element behind the name shows pleasingly as ever on 10. Big & forceful, all in balance – maybe a touch more severe & less graceful than the Cab Sauv (but that’s a year older), though alcohol 0.5% lower, at 13.8%. Surely 10+ years ahead, satisfying all the way!’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 4.5*

2011:
‘This is defined by a prominent minty note that weaves in and around the supple core of currant and blackberry paste flavors. Light espresso accents shade the finish, with a twinge of iron. Offers a fine-grained feel. Drink now through 2017.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 91/100 (Feb 2015)

‘Fresh sweet spearmint & dark chocolates combining to rather overwhelm black fruit, Well-managed oak & softish tannins make for very pleasant drinking.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

2012:
‘Famously made from a vineyard surrounded by gum trees, which was replanted after the 2014 harvest, this wine does what it says on the label. Pure cassis and eucalyptus fruit, with a hint of menthol, good oak integration and refreshing acidity are supplemented by dense, filigree tannins. Drink: 2015-22’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2013, 94/100

‘Signature mint & dark chocolate notes on’12 combine nicely with fresh black plums & cherries. Lovely ripe tannins & a savoury tweak at finish suggests endless food-matching possibilities.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2016, 4*

2013:
‘Signature mint, like mint crisp chocolate, ’13 is otherwise conventional; plush berries & streamlined tannin backbone to keep it in prime condition for years. But hard to resist now.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 4*

‘The 2013 The Mint Cabernet Stellenbosch undergoes a gentle extraction, 40% aged in new French oak for 18 months. Certainly you get that strong minty scent on the nose (I was wary of any subliminal suggestion at the time!). The palate is rounded and generous on the entry, fine acidity with that mint theme continuing where the aromatics left off, joined by clove and bay leaf right on the finish. Enjoy this over the next four or five years.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 90/100 (Apr 2017)

2014:
‘Fans of the mint are going to have to get their fix from somewhere else over the next decade, as this 100% Cabernet vineyard has now been replanted. This lives up to its name, with intense eucalyptus aromas and flavours, stylish oak and nuanced, sculpted tannins. 2019-28.’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 94/100

Provenance

Producer