Hartenberg Wine Estate Tasting evening Part 2 – Red wines

Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz blend 2014

This is a deep ruby to garnet red wine with obvious gradation.

Forthcoming and bold on the nose. Ripe red berries with nutmeg and baking spices.

The entry is crisp and dry. The tannins are velvety and contributes to the medium to fuller body of the wine. The spiciness from the nose follows through onto the palate. Fruity berry flavours add to  the complexity of this blend. The finish is lingeringly fruity.

This wine scores a decent 17/20.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

This Cab Sauv has an attractive deep ruby red with a slight purplish tinge.

On the nose this wine is bold and complex and rather typical of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of cigar box and ripe red and black berried dominate the nose with a slight plumminess and faint metallic undertone.

The wine has a crisp tannic entry. Rich ripe berry flavours follow through from the nose and reign the palate and flows into a lingering finish. There is a slight cigar box flavour detectible. This is a full-bodied wine with firm tannins that promises to age well.

Score 17/20.

Estate Shiraz 2014

The colour of this shiraz is a very deep purplish red, with slight gradation.

On the nose this wine is forthcoming and deliciously complex with aromas of pepper, game meat, wet stone minerality and an extremely slight fruitiness. Aromas of black cherries, violets and a faint metallic whiff can also be detected.

This is a bold and complex wine with a crisp dry entry. While this is a tannic wine, it is entirely pleasant and drinkable. The commanding flavours are those of ripe berries, black cherries, and pepper. A slight meatiness and minerality can also be detected.

I am impressed with this wine, 18/20.

Gravel Hill 2007

Gravel Hill is an opaque ruby red with a very faint precipitation. What is surprising about this wine is the fact that there is nearly no gradation, considering the age.

The nose of Gravel Hill is extremely promising. It is a big, bold and complex wine with aromas of wet stone, minerality, cigar box and a distinct meatiness. Spices and black cherries and berries complete the bouquet.

The entry is dry and tannic. While the tannins are firm, it is well integrated and not abrasive at all. The body is full with a lingering intense aftertaste. The wine is distinctly spicy and meaty with flavours of black cherries. This wine should keep comfortably for another 5 to 10 years.

This wine scores a breath-taking 19.5/20.