Ten or fifteen years ago, Australia was land of wine values … until “New World” wines became in vogue and prices skyrocketed. Then the great unknown red wine values came from Chile and Argentina; however that secret is out as well and the prices of South American wines have gone up steadily as people discovered how good there are. The next great secret from the Southern Hemisphere may well be from South Africa, which is best known for the band-aid wine, Pinotage, but also produces other fine reds at affordable prices. For example, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Robertson Winery. If Australia still made a wine under ten bucks, this is what it would taste like.
Nose: Rich, full, wide open, complex nose of ripe red and black berry fruits, earth, menthol, tobacco, and spice.
Palate: Rich, full ripe fruit upfront, with some earth and vanilla spice. Smooth texture, a touch hot in the finish, which turns to grapey cassis in flavor. Has decent acidity and mild to medium tannins, but not quite enough structure to stand up to a cheeseburger. Will be more enjoyable on its own or with not-as-fatty dishes.
