The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is raised in new French oak for 27 months. It has a wonderful lifted bouquet with blueberry, black plum and a touch of seaweed that is well defined. The palate is full-bodied, but the tannins are very fine and allow the pure blackberry and raspberry fruit to flourish all the way to the finish. There is a touch of white pepper and white fennel underneath, but overall, this is a wine of great composure and finesse even if the oak is rather excessive. Drink now-2019. It may still be difficult to pronounce but Boekenhoutskloof continues to affirm itself as one of South Africa's leading estates. Mark Kent is an astute helmsman, branching out to regions beyond his base in Franschhoek, for example, into Swartland for his Syrah. I still feel that he could rein in the new oak a little, but otherwise this is another set of superb South African wines.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.

Matured in 100% new French oak for 27 months, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon has a potent cedar-infused nose where I feel that the oak overwhelms the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and sweet ripe, cedar/mocha flavours dominating the mid-palate. Very harmonious and supple towards the finish, this is a very fine, stout Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now-2018. Franschhoek’s Boekenhoutskloof is rightly regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wineries, the only producer I awarded 5-stars in the 7th Wine Buyers Guide (though I would now add more.) The ever-enterprising Mark Kent has recently acquired a vineyard in Swartland that he intends to use for his Syrah. In the winery, he is currently experimenting with fermentation in Nomblot concrete eggs. See also his “Porcupine Ridge” and “Wolftrap” labels.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.

With 14.29% alcohol, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon has an oak-laden, plum and tobacco-scented bouquet that needs just a little more freshness. The palate is full-bodied with very supple tannins and a caressing mouth feel, good acidity and a clean, rounded, velvety finish that is impossible to dislike. Yet there is also a sense of conservatism coming through with age...a bit of dormant Old World coming to life on the finish. Drink now-2020. Franschhoek’s Boekenhoutskloof is rightly regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wineries, the only producer I awarded 5-stars in the 7th Wine Buyers Guide (though I would now add more.) The ever-enterprising Mark Kent has recently acquired a vineyard in Swartland that he intends to use for his Syrah. In the winery, he is currently experimenting with fermentation in Nomblot concrete eggs. See also his “Porcupine Ridge” and “Wolftrap” labels.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, Alabama. Tel 205-949-6262.