By way of background: Classic-looking label for a cabernet sauvignon from the well-known Stellenbosch area of South Africa - an area I most typically associate with dark, smoky elements to a wine. Beau Joubert Winery has a long history in the area, having been established all the way back in 1696. The cabernet sauvignon was aged in oak barrels for 12 m
onths, and comes in at a definitely-new-world level of 14% alcohol.Original Review, October, 2009:
In the glass: Beau Joubert is dutifully dark in the glass, fully opaque about 2/3 of an inch in from its burgundy-hued rim.
On the nose: Fruity, meaty, almost-nutty cabernet aromas come bursting through, somehow suggestive of being in a car mechanic garage - in a good way. I guess that's a bit of burned motor oil, perhaps.
On the palate: Oh, the smoky fill comes through early in this. It reaches up deep and back into your throat, carried along by an unusually tangy fruit. The mid-palate doesn't seem to offer much to "chew" on, but then the tannins start to drip in along the sides of your cheeks.
And the finish: The finish is defined by the sandy, tannic robe, combined with the somewhat hot alcohol finish.
In summary: A wine that's clearly serious. Not really knitted together well for me, however, so it can only take two stars. But a plus comes because I'd be a bit interested to see if this might do better with time. The winery suggests storage for up to seven years; and this bottle is only three years from the vintage date.
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Updated Review, over a year later, January, 2011: Color has remained consistent. Aromas remain meaty and nutty without the motor oil now. Now the palate, though light, shows a solid balance of aromatics and minerality. Smoky, deep fruit and sleek too. Three stars now. Excellent value.
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