Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 (14.5% ABV) – 89.7
SF | Inscrutable of hue, a hint of reduction intercedes where otherwise we have the aromas of the pines behind a plum-driven attack, with chalky, poised tannins underwriting the potential for a decade or so of further development. 90
AR | Already quite evolved in color for its relative youth, this is fresh although starting to show some development in the aromas, with cherry fruit and vanilla oak in the ascendant; it's a nice wine, with black-cherry fruit flavors and background vanilla oak that also rounds out the texture, which is much needed, because its power and tannins could be a tad drying, but they just about work in the context of this powerful red. 90
DW | Ripe, rich, full, and open; candied cassis in a slightly sweet vein, with some plum-skin asperity and red-plum acidity. That acidity keeps things bright and active through the finish. 89