From the outset, the wine’s inky, velvety red colour is enough to engage you. Bringing the best of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Shiraz together in one wine sets the stagefor a hallmark example of the artistry involved with wine blending. The colour immediately adds authority, reaching the rim with depth and intensity, albeit the wine is already four years old. Ruby notes still add a youthful gloss, indicating where the wine is going. And then, an arresting perfume leaps from the glass with a bouquet of violets, warm spice, plum compote, cassis, English leather, dried porcini, mulberry, fennel, and liquorice, in no specific order.

The romantic appeal of the wine is that its aromas traverse the world. For a moment, you can be in Italy with an earthy tomato leaf note and gravely mouth-watering tannin. There is alsos omething reminiscent of Bordeaux in the depth of colour and effortless execution with a nod to the spicy, peppery quality of the Rhone. But in the end, its bold character takes you back to SouthAfrica with the typicity of fynbos weaved through the fruit. The fruit is still crunchy, and the midpalate is beautifully intense, hoisted with bright acidity and ripe, chalky tannin. With a smoky, vanilla edge, the wine is powerful and distinct with a persistent finish.