Ernie Els new releases

The Cape Bordeaux Red Blend called Signature as made by Louis Strydom for Ernie Els Wines deserves to be considered among the best in category but at R900 a bottle for the current-release 2017, it’s not exactly everyday drinking. More affordable are the Big Easy tier of wines, the 2022 vintage of both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blend recently released. Tasting notes and ratings as follows:

Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Price: R145
Includes 12% Cinsault. A portion of the Cab matured in concrete egg. Red and black berries, floral perfume and attractive oak-derived notes on the nose. Clean fruit, vibrant acidity and fine tannins. A lighter style done well. Alc: 13.72%.

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Big Easy Red Blend 2022
Price: R200
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Matured for 14 months in French and American oak, 10% new. Red and black berries, vanilla and spice on the nose. The palate is sound but there’s no great fruit depth, the tannins soft. Easy drinking but lacks the charm of its counterpart above.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

Check out our South African wine ratings database.