Few Cabernet Sauvignon in the under $15 category produce as pleasant a nose as the Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve does. Vibrant blackberry, nibs candy and vanilla-coke aromas are supported by an even blanket of sweet, oak spice and blooming flowers.
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Thelema Mountain Vineyards 2011 Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc - $14
This South African Sauvignon Blanc opens with a generous nose of crab apple, honeydew and lemon curd aromas. Pleasantly rich, thanks to extended lees contact, coating your palate with juicy melon flavours before the tangy citrus fruit and cool mineral elements cut through, leaving the finish dry with lingering citrus peel and spice notes.
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Flagstone 2012 Longitude - $14
Vibrantly intense, dark and red fruit aromas and fresh, Chocolate Mint notes greet you on the nose of this well-priced, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blend (50%, 30% and 20%, respectively) from the Western Cape.
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KWV Winery 2011 Roodeberg - $14
The middleweight palate offers an easy-drinking profile of ubiquitous 'dark red fruit' and sweet oak, licorice and light spice flavours. Not overly complex or long, but decent balance and good "drinkability", especially for the under $15 price-point.
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The Painted Wolf Wines 2012 The Den Cabernet Sauvignon - $15
Bursts out of the glass with attractive blackberry, cassis, cola, menthol and oak aromas. Palate offers similar, juicy flavours until a wave of wild berry acidity floods the fruit, lightening the body, creating more of a middleweight Cabernet, better suited for spicy stews and leaner meats, than for thick, marbled steaks.
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Graham Beck Wines 2011 The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $19
Over-delivers for the price with a uniquely South African Cabernet Sauvignon blend of smoky incense, mocha and spicy plum fruit aromas on the feminine nose. Acid is quite fresh, keeping the mouth feel vibrant and alive, while graphite tannins help frame the fruit and add some structure. Finish is balanced, but moderate in length.
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