2011 Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the same Franschhoek vineyard that Mark Kent worked in 1996 when he produced his 8-ton debut. It is matured for 26 months in new French barriques from the Sylvan tonnellerie. It does not quite have the same level of purity as the Syrah, perhaps a little rustic by comparison, but with attractive blackberry and briary scents interlaced with cedar and undergrowth. Returning after 15 minutes there is a more prominent dark-chocolate scent. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm and slightly dusty tannins. There is good depth here with nicely judged acidity, although it needs to achieve the finesse demonstrated by the Syrah. There is just a nagging touch of greenness that does not seem to dissipate, hence my more reserved score.