Serious South African Cabernet Franc: Van Loggerenberg Breton 2018

The other New World wine from the Cabernet Franc blind tasting, and the other outstanding one. All the tasters loved it.

This is an extraordinary wine. Perfect varietal character, freshness, exceptional depth at 13,5% alcohol. You can see why it’s called Breton, it’s definitely not a ripe, warm climate rendition of the grape. Paprika on the nose, but it doesn’t feel unripe. Loaded with black fruits, graphite, and spices. Amazing, top shelf concentration on the palate, yet it feels light on it’s feet. What a balance! Integrated acidity and tannins, it’s perfectly proportioned, drinks well already. I must admit I scored this very high initially, but a burnt rubber character started to emerge with time, which distracted me a little bit.

Rating: outstanding, 91 points.
Price: 35 Euros, Wein-deko.
Value: good. Interesting, top shelf wine, worth to taste it.
Tasted: November, 2019.
Source: I bought the bottle.
Drinking window: now-2025.