When I visited Klein Roosboom a few days ago I tried the 2021 Cab Sav, and found it very young, and Jéan (our host for the tasting) said it should mature in the bottle for 3 to 4 years but who’s got time to watch a bottle mature for that long?? So I bought a bottle of their 2017 Cab Sav and for a few Ront extra I got to fast forward a few years immediately.
I was looking for a wine to try with tonight’s Lamb stew, which btw, was my best ever, unanimously voted 5 out of 5 by 5 out of 5 at the Shabbas table (whatever you call that thing where you pull a fist and make like you’re honking the horn on a steam train).
I opened the 2017 Johan Cab Sav to go with the lamb stew. Jesse said he got a hit of blue cheese on the nose, but I didn’t get that. It’s got a hefty characteristic Cab Sav aroma – Italian Deli with cured meats hanging from the ceiling, and a few notes of dried leaves. It’s robust on the palette, with some distant tanins. Platters isn’t very complimentary about the reds from Klein Roosboom. He gave their 2019 Cab Sav 2.5 stars. I’d rate this one around 3. It’s close, but no notes of cigars.
The lamb stew, on the other hand, was ooooh my god (you say the first word, long pause, then both of the last two together.). Recipe will follow.
