Critics Ratings

2006 - ‘Powerful but not overblown Bordeaux blend. Masterly ‘06 combines mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, dashes of Petit Verdot and Merlot with taut tannin, well-structured oak (20 months new) and 15% alc in a cellar-worthy package.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2010, 4.5*

2007 - ‘Masterly, the ‘07 adds a dash of Malbec to 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 8% Merlot. Fruit and vanilla sweetness redeemed by savoury tail. Well-structured with firm grip; needs 3+ yrs to knit, show its best. 85% new oak for 20 months.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2011, 4.5*

‘The brilliant 2007 Director’s Reserve Red has a broody nose of cocoa, dark chocolate and dark berries all cloaked in vanillary new oak that is very well enmeshed. The palate is medium-bodied with a very silky smooth entry: seamless tannins that are almost Burgundian in nature. It is still closed at the moment, but here, the new oak is very well integrated and absorbed into the precocious, sappy dark cherry, blueberry and cassis fruit. This is a gorgeous Stellenbosch red. Drink 2014-2020+.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Aug 2011)

2008 - ‘Cabernet-based with 4 other varieties. Youthful 2008 in modern style, with lots of ripe, sweet fruit and obvious oak, but all expressed with refinement and restraint. Under suave, smooth silkiness ripples a serious muscularity - acidity, superfine tannins.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2012, 4.5*

‘The 2008 Director's Reserve comprises 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc and is raised in French oak for 22 months. It has a toasty nose with blackberry, sandalwood, mint and sage aromas, the oak nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and ample, dusky black fruit laced with white pepper, rosemary and thyme. It has a pleasing grainy texture while the oak subsumed discreetly towards the long finish. This is an excellent wine.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (Dec 2012)

2009 - ‘Cabernet Sauvignon with dollops Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec in ‘09 superbly balancing seductive ripe fruit with oak, depth with charm, firm structure with easy appeal, the obvious and the subtle, the classic and modern virtues. Irresistible now, it can only gain with a good few years in bottle.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2013, 4.5*

'The 2009 Director’s Reserve Red has a gentle bouquet of dark plum, black currant, chocolate liqueurs and raspberry preserve – quite complex and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy, caressing opening. The acidity is a little low, lending this a degree of corpulence that goes well with the meaty finish sprinkled with white pepper and a little fennel. This is a lovely wine that can be broached now, but it should age for another 8 to 10 years. Drink now-2022’ – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate 92/100 (2013)

'Just starting to enter its fully-mature window, the great vintage of 2009 shines through with powerful fruit and Bordeaux-like elegance. It shows ample blueberries, a hint of wet earth and dark olive together with a powerful structure. It is drinking beautifully now but will hold for a decade.' - Roland Peens 93/100 (2019)

2010 - ‘Cabernet with dollops of Petit Verdot, Merlot & Malbec in 2010, with oak more prominent, and vintage giving slightly less harmony and generosity than in superbly balanced 2009, though with lots of power. Firm, almost severe tannins should soften with a few years in bottle.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2014, 4.5

2011 - ‘Classically styled 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend with Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Shows youthful restraint with layers of flavour woven into fine chalky tannin structure. Balanced, with pedigree to age with distinction.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4.5*

‘“A lovely vintage that showed freshness” is how Miles Mossop describes the 2011. This Cabernet-based blend (with support from Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec) is classic Stellenbosch: pure, aromatic and refined with hints of graphite and capsicum, gentle oak and an elegant, tapering finish. Drink: 2015-24’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2015, 94/100

Provenance

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