You may recall that I reviewed a Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from this winery, and I exclaimed at how good both were for truly a pittance. Well, welcome back to Pittanceville. The reviews I read were pretty terrific so I went out on a limb and bought two cases (since two cases cost about the same as one bottle of a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon rated exactly the same), but with this major difference: The winery has been pumping out product since 1679. In South Africa. It has not been reviewed a lot, because it is so inexpensive. Here’s what one critic had to offer: “The 2017 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of smoky plum and other dark fruits along with cola, vanilla and a little smoked meat. Tasting the wine shows loads of juicy dark fruit (plum and black cherry primarily) along with licorice and continuing smoky notes from the bouquet. This is a fairly big and bold wine but it is still smooth and easy to drink. Fine but firm tannins lead into the dry, grippy finish of oaky spice. This is a very nice and very flavorful Cab.” A Wine Enthusiast reviewer, rating the wine 90 points, said, “This shows moderate scents of ripe black plum, blueberry and raspberry that ride over subtle hints of blackcurrant leaf, bramble and pressed purple flowers. Medium weight and smooth on the palate, it boasts crushed-velvet tannins. The medium-length finish offers a solid fruit presence that veers toward berry compote and crumble, with lingering sweet spice." In tasting it myself, I found it to be a very sophisticated quaff. No big fruit bomb. No oaky maple syrup. Just really good, flavorful wine. The price? $5.95. Absolutely, positively unreal.
