Oracle (South Africa) Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Winemaker Linley Schultz is an Australian, and this wine certainly captures a lot of that rich, ripe, bold blackurrant flavour that the Ozzies do so well. But this wine is South African, and that means a more European tradition, where the cedary and cigar-box elements of Bordeaux-style wines are more prized. Oracle captures a very happy medium, at a very nice price, with a fine, aromatic nose with lots of tobacco, spice and green peppercorn aromas, as well as plenty of black fruit. On the palate it delivers a really broad, juicy mouthful of sweet cassis and plum, with a lovely coffee and spice background (it is aged in French oak) and a fine leathery, woodsmoke and earthy depth. 10% Syrah in the blend possibly helps add a dimension of chocolaty complexity, but what a terrific value wine this is with a long, smooth finish. £4.99 Oddbins
