Cloof (South Africa) Bush Vines CPS 2004
Cloof is an estate in the Darling region of South Africa, whose pride and joy is their dry-farmed vineyard of bush vines. This Cape blend consists of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Pinotage and 27% Shiraz (the ‘CPS’ of the label) and it spends 15 months in new French oak. Given that luxurious recipe the price is very low, but the wine delivers. The nose is dominated by the Shiraz, giving pepper and spice along with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, and a touch of earthy, vegetal, Pinotage character. On the palate a very soft cloak of cedary oak flavours is layered over ripe, juicy cherry and black berry fruits, with plenty of black pepper and clove-like spice and a robust, earthy tannic structure. There is lovely freshness too, with good acidity and the bright fruit profile persisting. Delightful stuff, and well priced. 7.99 – 8.99, direct by the case from Cloof web site