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Deep red in colour but transparent on the rim. Faint blackcurrants on the nose. Soft entry, sweet bramble fruit and showing strong but ripe tannins. Good complexity in the mid-palate, although a little limited. A quick burst of heat on swallowing, followed by bone dry cheeks and lips but a generous and long chocolate finish. Not sure of the balance of the components of the wine for this to pull itself together over the long run. 85/100. Drunk 20 May 2009 at the Crusting Pipe.

This is one of the wines of the 2005 harvest I had most problems in judging. Firstly I tasted a cask sample which was superb. Thereafter 2 blind tastings, where I downgraded it a lot.

Axel

I noted this to be a very dark red colour with huge tannins and guessed at Niepoort 1997. I was surprised to find it was so young.