I’ve recently been working my way through a selection of Reenen Borman’s lovely Boschkloof wines, most notably drinking his epic Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2014 on Christmas Day 2016.

But this time it’s his Bordeaux blend I’m examining, made from 54% Cabernet Franc, 17% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot at 14.5 Abv.

Tasting Note: This is a threateningly dark, opaque glassful. So black it’s almost intimidating. On the nose, the aromatics fly out the glass, with dried herbs, thyme, mint leaf, cigar box, eucalyptus, chocolate peppermint crisp, fennel seeds, cherry cola and sweet plummy black cassis fruit. The palate is dense, elegantly textured and vibrantly fresh. Beautiful fruit – acid balance, purity & focus, sweet tart cassis, mocha, espresso, and very fine grained tannins. Very light on its feet from the large dollop of elegant Cabernet Franc, this five grape Bordeaux blend reminds me of a homage to MR de Compostella. No idea if this is true, but it shows similar class, Franc elegance, and plenty of latent pedigree. An excellent effort. (Wine Safari Score: 93/100 Greg Sherwood MW)