Monday, June 8, 2015

Rustenberg 2008 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Simonberg, Stellenbosch

This bottle of 2008 Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the gems that came back with us from South Africa after our recent trip. South Africa has more than 600 wineries and is the eight largest wine producer in the world.
We invited our good friends Cabinator and Glorious T over to look at some of our safari photos. We just had to pop open a bottle of SA wine.
Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cab is named to honor the man who bought the historic property and restored it to become an icon in the South African wine industry. It appears on many fine dining wine lists in the country.
We found this to be a surprising wine. It is surprising because the flavor comes from a different direction than, let’s say, a Napa Cab. This wine isn’t overpowered by tannins and has a distinct herbal quality. It is a complex, layered wine. Malolactic fermentation adds to the rich, full taste.
The wine is aged in French oak for 20 months, but the tannins are never center stage. The flavors of black cherry and currant mingle nicely with the herbal qualities. The finish is long and relaxed.
We decanted Peter Barlow and he benefited nicely. It evolved in the glass as we enjoyed reliving our South African adventure.
Rustenberg’s Peter Barlow Cab is surprising in at least two ways: first, the distinctive and delicious herbal flavors, secondly, this bottle cost us less than $25 US at the winery. Highly recommended!
Rating: 5 of 5  Value 5 of 5

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