2012 GLENELLY CABERNET SAUVIGNON STELLENBOSCH 'THE GLASS COLLECTION' $16.99

To start off the new year we have to take the time to remind ourselves to get out of any ruts or forces of habit we may have built up over the holidays. When someone comes in looking for 'A Chardonnay' or 'A Cabernet Sauvignon', we tend to look first in the areas of the store where there is a higher population of those wines like California or France, etc., and don't think as much about some of the really good examples we have from lesser represented areas. Now is a good time to refocus on some of these overlooked gems.
This estate was purchased in 2003 by the same family that owns the 2nd Growth Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Bordeaux, and the Bordeaux influence is immediately evident on the nose with the aromas of cool dark fruits, currant and bitter chocolate. Very little oak shows through here, giving the regional character full attention, very savory and earthy. The palate is rich and shows some tannin hints of the South African meaty tone that seems to show through on most reds, but the polished texture is surprisingly Old World with lots of cassis and more persistent dark cocoa notes through the finish. A great traditional style Cab Sauv that has a lot of potential in the cellar and at the dinner table. ​