Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Saturated ruby. Extractive aromas of molasses and coffee grounds. Concentrated, sweet and round, but with slightly baked flavors of moderate depth. Finishes hard-edged and a bit dry, with jammy fruits.

Throughout this wine is an herbiness typical of South African wines. In this case, the herbal notes are offset by toast, cream, peach and lemon. This has very good body, finishing with intense fruit.

Juicy and fresh, with blackberry and cassis fruit, sweet smoke and a chocolaty finish. Moderate in scope, but really quite tasty. Heck of a value. Drink now.

Excelsior's 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is an extraordinary value that, thankfully, is available in extremely large quantities. Four thousand cases of this dark ruby-colored beauty have already been sold in the United States, and its importer has an additional 40,000 at its disposal. Black currants and sweet grape aromas burst form the glass. This is a medium-bodied, boisterously flavored wine loaded with intense blackberries, black cherries, and cassis. Well-balanced, its ripe fruit comes across as bright and fresh. It should be enjoyed over the next 3 years.

Blackish plum in color. A medium-to-full bodied wine. Displays sweet, plummy notes on nose, with vanilla, chocolate and blackcurrants on palate. Has soft, ripe tannins and a long velvety finish.

Sweet and dark, with exotic notes of tumeric and ginger alongside the ultra-ripe blackcurrant and cherry flavors. Soft and fleshy, this easygoing New World wine is a steal.

Opens with blackberry and brier notes, with a slightly rustic edge throughout, before the smoky, coffee finish takes over. Still, very tasty fruit. At this price, it's a steal. Drink now through 2003.