Glen Carlou, Gravel Quarry, Paarl

The cork was dry and collapsed while trying to remove it. The wine was over evolved with obvious signs of oxidation. Probably a poorly stored bottle.

full bodied but too much new oak which gave it a slightly sweet vanilla edge = good food wine

Slightly firmer than the Grand Classique of the same vintage drunk alongside this wine - more pruney on the nose and with a possibly longer lifetime ahead of it - a nice pair of wines

88+. Nicely balanced wine in a Sonoma like style. Medium bodied, bright cherry balanced by earth and tobacco. Nicely made and rather elegant.

Didn't get the same purity and precision this time around. it was downright non-descript upon open, not the same pure bright cherry or clear pencil lead and hint of earth and tobacco to add complexity. Definitely gained a lot with air. Upon open, maybe 85-86? With air, seemed more like 88 points. Will revisit day 2. not as good as remembered no doubt.

Plenty of fruit and initially still quite tannic but settled down after an hour and opened up nicely

90-91. Upon open, bright pure cherry on the palate with some oak. Became a bit more like chocolate covered cherries with a bit of air and a hint more chocolate and cherry with a bit of tobacco over time. Day 2 - almost better with a bit more complexity coming forward and still fresh. Very smooth with really fine grained tannins. This will probably age well for another 4-5 years. May have to pick up more. Very good QPR at …