Klein Constantia Red Blend

The 2018 Red Blend Estate, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 17% Malbec, has a more expressive nose than the 2017, featuring boisterous blackberry, bilberry and more floral scents that are not present in the previous vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit. A fine-boned Bordeaux blend with a judicious splash of cracked black pepper toward the finish. Excellent.

Composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 17% Malbec, the 2018 Estate Red Blend is deep ruby in color. Aromas of dusty black raspberry, black plum and cherry waft from of the glass with notions of green herbs, sage and hints of baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is focused, mineral-driven and dusty, with gripping tannins across the mid-palate. The wine concludes with notions of graphite, pencil shavings, crème de cassis and sage. I suspect this will show better with additional time in the bottle.