Tart blackberry, sage brush, wild cherry. Ripe strawberry, fresh wildflowers, crushed cranberry. A excitingly juicy and expressive fruit core packed with black currant, raspberry, and pluot writhes with tense and youthful exuberance while pronounced notes of rosemary, tobacco, tarragon, and thyme gracefully impart intriguing layers of herbal charm. Hints of coffee bean and cacao nib delicately provide just a touch of understated opulence as a mild dusting of cinnamon and vanilla contributes pinches of baking spice. Unique floral tones of cactus blossom, trampled rose, and violet gently flutter above subtle earthy impressions of loamy soil and mild salinity to round out the well balanced display. Notably restrained, complex, and classically-styled on the palate while remaining thoroughly lively and bright; exhibiting a multidimensional and age-worthy presentation that opens up significantly after a few hours of air. Medium bodied with elevated yet approachable tannin supported by fresh acidity. This 2018 Coastal Region Cabernet Sauvignon by Lievland Vineyards is an elegant and interesting red from South Africa.

While an incredibly wide range of international wine grape varieties are grown in South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon is currently the most planted red grape in the country and can be found in most areas where wine is made. This bottling, crafted by Lievland Vineyards using Cabernet Sauvignon plus a pinch of Cinsault and Cab Franc all sourced from Stellenbosch and Paarl, is an excellent example of the tension, complexity, and balance that Cabernet from South Africa can possess. This wine boasts a tightly-wound and tart black and red-fruited core awash with wild herbs, intriguing floral notes, subtle spice, and lightly chocolatey undertones. It possesses excellent structure and should improve in the cellar for at least 5-10 years, yet it can still be enjoyed today after a moderate decant. Very nice.