Ernie Els Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 review

Professional South African golfer Ernie Els started his Stellenbosch wine range in 1999 with a Bordeaux red blend and then later branched out into single varietal wines like this Cabernet Sauvignon. Although this is a 2017 vintage there is sign of its aging potential from the clear edge to the wine’s colour when seen through an angled wine glass. And watch out for the tartrate crystals – these will settle out if you decant the wine into a jug before you drink it otherwise you’ll get a mouthful of harmless gritty crystals that are a by-product of the tartaric acid found in grapes which then solidify out of the wine later in the bottle. Expect aromas of warm blackberry crumble pudding with added perfumed violet creams. The flavour is slightly smoky with sharp under ripe cherry and some oakiness. It smooths out into rich, slightly sweet, plum flavours the longer you leave it in the decanter. Match to sausages and mash.