Boekenhoutskloof, Swartland (South Africa) 2017

 Boekenhoutskloof is – in my book – among the world’s best wine companies, joining the likes of Penfolds and Guigal in making undeniably delicious wines regardless of price or volume (ranging from the very affordable “Porcupine Ridge” line up to fantastic high-end renditions of Syrah, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon).  This delicious blend sits roughly in the middle of the price range, and they make a lot of it, though you’d never guess that from its impressively high quality.  Very expressive in both aroma and flavor but without being “obvious” in any respect, it offers delicious fruit with both red and black tones in a medium-plus body profile.  Wood is notable but only if you bother to note it, so deft is the blending, and the tannins are abundant but very fine in grain.  Savory notes are as prominent as fruity ones, and as a consequence, you would not have an easy time telling whether this was an Old or a New World wine if you were tasting it blind.  Nor would you find it easy to guess which grape varieties comprise the blend, which I shall not disclose in the hope of goading you to try guessing on your own.