Kanonkop Kadette 2008

we are back to the south african wines with this beautifully complex red blend from the stellenbosch region. this wine is a blend of 50% pinotage, 25% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, and 10% cabernet franc. nice bordeaux blend with the added twist of the always interesting pinotage grape. the nose had lots of dark fruit, like black cherry and blackberry. some nice licorice, smoke and tar aromas also. the palate is big and juicy, with flavors of blackberry and plum. nice tar, smoky cedar and earth flavors in the mid-palate and into the finish. i enjoyed this with grilled burgers. sells for the really nice price of about $14. buy two and lay one down for a couple years.

Jim Barry Cover Drive Cabernet 2005

back to australia! sorry for the many aussie blogs lately, but i attended a tasting of all wines from down under recently and i was quite impressed with much of what i tasted and have a great deal of notes to blog about. this cab was very nice, with a nose of black cherry and dark chocolate, with hints of mint and coffee. the palate was very fruit forward with black cherry as the principle flavor. i also got a vanilla and a tar note at the finish. nice, full bodied wine with a nice balanced flavor that sells for about $20 and begs for something in the red meat or pork family to accompany it.