Miles Mossop Sam 2021

Miles Mossop says of the 2021 vintage of his Cabernet Sauvignon, named Sam after his wife, that it is “very fine and complete” but perhaps not as “powerful” as 2017. “I can’t help myself when it comes to blending. I like to tweak a wine if I can,” he adds. The 2021, therefore, includes 4% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 93% majority component of Cab from a Polkadraai Hills vineyard planted in 2001. Maturation, meanwhile, lasted 22 months in 225-litre barrels, 40% new.

The nose shows cassis and perhaps some cranberry, floral perfume, the merest hint of leafiness, pencil shavings, vanilla and oak spice. Great fruit definition, bright acidity and powdery, tightly knit tannins. It’s perhaps not the most splendid or imposing of wines of what is generally considered an excellent vintage for the Bordeaux varieties as grown in Stellenbosch, but it is very skilfully assembled. Alc: 14%.  Total production was 1,881 bottles and the wine sells for R995 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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