News
10 November 2006 by Web Words
Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon rated US's top value for money wine
Stellenbosch and Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 are on top of the world - leading Wine Enthusiast magazine’s annual ranking of the Best Buys for the Pennywise, in its November issue.
For this ranking the magazine chose bottles that retail for no more than $15 and states that they 'have a quality-to-price ratio that would qualify them as Best Buys in our international Buying Guide'.
The Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Stellenbosch) topped the feature with 89 points, retailing in the United States at $14. It was judged: "A wine true to Stellenbosch at an affordable price."
The review states: "Dark red in the glass, this wine slowly reveals itself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Hints of leather and barnyard lift to show dark berry aromas, while the entry is smooth and silky, a chocolate undercurrent leading towards more substantial cassis and mixed berry with cola and leather notes. Firm in the mouth, it has graceful tannins that will evolve over the next few years."
The Winery’s founder Alex Dale is delighted with the magazine’s accolade, particularly as it is the second year running that this wine producer has been rated so highly by this influential US wine publication.
"Our aim with Vinum is to combine the classic structure of Old World Cabernet Sauvignons, with a nod to the warmth of the New World’s accessible flavours. Since the first vintage in 1999 we have also worked hard to achieve a particularly high quality/price ratio with our very focused Vinum range."
"This has been consistently recognised in the US, our largest market for this wine, with five successive vintages rated ‘Best Buys’ from Robert Parker and now this excellent acclaim from The Wine Enthusiast."
"Stylistically, intelligent oaking with this wine complemented rather than dominated the fruit, allowing it to reflect its origin’s natural flavours. Cigar box, blueberry, spiciness, cherry and a hint of mocha mingle seamlessly, bridging the lapse between sips. The finish has a fresh minerality which will allow the wine an exciting future."
The 2004 Vinum Chenin Blanc was also rated Best Buy by the Wine Enthusiast, the Wine Spectator and Robert Parker, completing a hat-trick of recognition in all the US major rating publications.
The Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon retails in South Africa for R59 and the Chenin Blanc for R50.