Crushed black currant, sage brush, dark cherry pit. Tart blackberry, coffee grounds, black licorice. A strikingly dense yet still lithe procession of huckleberry, crème de cassis, and plum skin struts with powerful yet lively concentration as notes of undergrowth, eucalyptus dust, and smoldering tobacco simultaneously contributing incredibly compelling herbal and natural undertones. Hints of charcoal, smoke, and bittersweet chocolate ruggedly impart deep and seductive decadence offset by integrated floral tones of violet, lavender, and potpourri. Wafts of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla gently radiate warm baking spices while earthy impressions of granite and stone provide a final layer of non-fruit complexity. Sneakily powerful and layered on the palate while remaining impressively balanced and restrained; exhibiting a serious, structured, and savory presentation that comes across as mouth-coating and rich while still nicely approachable. Medium plus in body with pronounced textured tannin backed by elevated acidity. This 2018 Jonkershoek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Stark-Condé is a complex and classically-styled red from South Africa's Stellenbosch region.

Located directly east of Cape Town within the coastal zone of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch is one of South Africa's most well known winegrowing regions and boasts a history consistent wine production since the year 1690. This bottling, crafted by Stark-Condé using primarily Cabernet Sauvingnon plus a pinch of Petit Verdot/Malbec/Petite Sirah/Cab Franc sourced from their estate vineyard within Stellenbosch's Jonkershoek Valley, is an outstanding example of the immense quality of wine this sunny and rugged terroir can produce. This broods with a deep black-fruited core wonderfully layered with notes of dry coastal brush, smoky tobacco, well integrated oak spices, and pleasant earthiness. Although it is certainly quite ripe and concentrated, the savory components of this wine truly steal the show and provide a drinking experience that is reminiscent of both new and old world styles. Excellent.