Winery	Kaapzicht Estate
Region	Stellenbosch, South Africa
Vintage	2004
Type	Red
Grape Varietals	Shiraz
Retail Price	$66.00
Rating	6.5/10

One of my favourite hang-out in the past; Mackenzine Road was a place of nostilgia to me. Tucked in the small road behind the little India MRT, this place was my playground in my childhood years. Although the strecth now spots several new apartments, walking along this road bring back sweet memories, and a nostligic craving for South African wine which Wine Arcade was so much famed for.

During the hay days, Wine Arcade was swamp with massive crowd during the weekdays, but the appereance seems somewhat pale now as compare to a few years ago.

Happily settled for a bottle of South African Kaapzicht Shiraz 2004, me and my pal cozy up at the bench for some old time chit chat...

Kaapzicht Shiraz 2004 is a full-bodied and complex wine in deep dark inky purple hue. This masculine wine is intensely concentrated exposing nose of capiscum while decevingly concealed exotic spices of cinnamon, clover, toast and cedar wood. Mutilayers of cherry fruits, blackcurrant and plum gently reveals, yet insufficient for a fuill awakening. The texture was edgy and somewhat fiery initially. It took lots of coaxing in the decanter before monsieur mellows into waves of sweet cherry fruits and red dates englufing the entire palate, followed by an attack of white pepper leading to a full and satisfying medium to long finishing.

For the impatient, this wine would initially be a disappointment with straight spot of burnt off-bitter oak taste and little else to offer other than some fiery welcome. But some breathing prove to be worthwhile as the flavoursome fruits started to leap out from its captivity while the fiery and off-bitter oak mellow away.

If it was not for the steep price tag on this wine, I would have given it a 7 to 7.5 score. For $66, we are spoilt for many other choices. One could easily buy a good bottle of Australian Shiraz which has a smoother, rounder overall appeal yet drinkable instantaneously. Nevertheless, price aside, Kaapzicht Shiraz could be worth a try for a nostligic African night.   

Tasting Notes:

• Kaapzicht Shiraz 2004 is a full-bodied and complex wine in deep dark inky purple hue. This masculine wine is intensely concentrated exposing nose of capiscum while decevingly concealed exotic spices of cinnamon, clover, toast and cedar wood. Mutilayers of cherry fruits, blackcurrant and plum gently reveals, yet insufficient for a fuill awakening. The texture was edgy and somewhat fiery initially. It took lots of coaxing in the decanter before monsieur mellows into waves of sweet cherry fruits and red dates englufing the entire palate, followed by an attack of white pepper leading to a full and satisfying medium to long finishing.

  For the impatient, this wine would initially be a disappointment with straight spot of burnt off-bitter oak taste and little else to offer other than some fiery welcome. But some breathing prove to be worthwhile as the flavoursome fruits started to leap out from its captivity while the fiery and off-bitter oak mellow away.

Food Pairings:

• Red meat, curry, duck and roast pork rice.

Drinkability:

• Ready to drink. Decant for best effect.

Available At:

• Wine Arcade