KWV Winery 2017 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $15.99-18.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: December 10th, 2019
Tasting Notes: Dusty, smoky and very well priced, this is a savoury Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty of herbs and spices, but not completely void of fruit thanks to a vein of toasted black fruit running through the feminine nose and dry palate. Pair with smoky'n'sweet dried meats or a charcuterie plate. Drink now-2021.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2019 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2016 Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 31st, 2018
Tasting Notes: Essentially, the 'Big Bill' Cabernet Sauvignon is a less-intense version of its cousin, KWV's over-achieving Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, also from the Western Cape and within reach of the same price range. Now, nothing is really out-of-place with the Bill; there's concentrated dark berry fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose and the palate is full(ish) and fairly well balanced, but there's no length and most of the body comes from the 4g/l of residual sugar.
As the Cathedral routinely goes on-sale for the matching price of $13.99, keep an eye out and stock-up. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2015 Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99-16.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: May 18th, 2018
Tasting Notes: If you don't like a bit of smoke in your wine then you'll want to steer clear of this Cabernet Sauvignon from KWV whose plummy-chocolate-herbal nose is practically smoldering. The combination carries through to the full-bodied, slightly off-dry palate (to this reviewer's delight). Drink now-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2017 The Vinecrafter Chardonnay (W.O. Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $8.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: May 9th, 2018
Tasting Notes: To make this ultra low-budget Chardonnay, KWV made one excellent decision: no trace of oak. Far too many budget Chardonnay are produced with cheap oak alternatives like chips, staves or even chemically simulated extract to either mask the poor quality of the grapes with a blanket of oak or to try and fool us into thinking that the winery actually spent the money to age the wine in barrel despite this being financial impossible at this price-point. This offering is honest and straight forward.
Ok, yes, the finish is short and the depth rather thin, but the balance between the orchard fruit flavours and acidity works nicely and is unsullied by the taste of cheap oak, making this >$10 Chard very drinkable. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2018 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2014 Roodeberg (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: April 5th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A cool, masculine, menthol-scented blend of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes with added aromas of dark red fruit, spiced plum sauce and sweet, cured meat. The palate is sprightly with dark fruit and rustic components supported by sweet oak, licorice and light spice flavours. Length and balance are good, especially for the under $15 price-point. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2012 Roodeberg (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $12.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: October 1st, 2015
Tasting Notes: Most people don't decant budget wines. They twist off the cap and pour immediately, occasionally complaining of a harsh or rigid mouthfeel. Decanting is not just for aged, cellar worth wines of-a-certain-price. Many wines, like this perfectly enjoyable $12 blend of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties need a chance to open-up, release some trapped gas and settled own before they become drinkable. And that's not to say that decanting will make this middleweight, blue fruit and sweet oak-infused wine taste like a much more expensive one, it won't, it's simply essential to making it drinkable. Notes of licorice, plum, mocha and spice linger on the moderate finish. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2015 IconWines.ca
KWV Winery 2011 Roodeberg (Western Cape) South Africa
Availability: BCLDB Stores
Cost: $13.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: July 26th, 2014
Tasting Notes: This blend of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes (percentages and variety not indicated) requires a very long decant to mature from its initial, closed and unwelcoming state. After 2+hrs, a rather pleasing nose with sinus-cleansing intensity emerges, offering aromas of ripe, dark red fruit, spiced plum sauce and sage.
The middleweight palate is far more subdued and approachable with 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. Drink now-2016.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2014 IconWines.ca
