Tokara, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch

Further to my Note of Feb 17, '19: This is #2--brought home to see what happens. Decanted but not needed: minimal sediment. Dark purple; fragrant blackcurrant nose, bit of tar; blackcurrant, ripe black plum, earthiness, deep flavors; very good mouthfeel. Almost delicious, wish I had more. This has some years to go, though unlikely to improve. Stored vertically (screwcap) in a cool, dark basement since arrival. Still solid notable+.

The Western Cape adventure begins with dinner at our hotel after a long day of travel. This is the entry level - everyday Cabernet for Tokara. It’s made to drink young. Tastes like a cooler climate Cabernet. Meaning, it’s not hot like Napa but, certainly warm enough to ripen Cabernet. Less intense heat with cooler nights and likely a longer fruit hang time. The nose reveals slightly stewed; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, blue fruits, black raspberries and strawberries. …

Bought for R110 at a local supermarket--R10 below best retail on WSr Pro. Aerated about 2h before dinner. Rich, dark color; rich fragrance of dark fruit--some blackberry; carries through on the palate, very good mouthfeel, not complex but should develop. Among the best CS values I've found around the price. Screwcap. My evaluation: I've stopped giving scores on a "100-point scale" as I've become less convinced that they can be meaningful to others. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with …