Bilton Wines – Matt Black, 2006 – South Africa
Cost: $14/bottle
After tasting a whole bunch of mediocre red wines, I came across this one from South Africa, a red blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot… kind of a Bordeaux blend with that juicy Shiraz to spike it up. The nose was impressive with its sweet floral violets, spicy black cherry, vanilla oak, and a haunting aroma of “funk” — somewhat like a combo of horse sweat intermixed with black fruit. Truly the Shiraz was showing its pizzazz around the cabernet and merlot fruit. In the mouth, moderately full bodied with a nice genuine creamy texture— full of ripe fruits, and glycerine with soft tannins to enjoy consumption early on. At $14 a bottle, I will pick up a case.
Rating: 90
Tags: CELLAR NOTES, RED BLENDS, WINE
= "personne extraordinaire"