Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond 2019

There are a few partnerships in wine that raise an eyebrow or two. From South Africa it would be hard to beat though the longstanding relationship between Anthonij Rupert and Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The flagship wine from this pairing is the Baron Edmond Bordeaux style blend incorporating Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Now this is a wine that is predominantly made for its ageing potential, but as with all SA wines, they are often accessible and drinkable way before their peak drinking window.

The 2019 Baron Edmond initially sits in the glass with a deep dark red/black hue and light translucent rim. Having let the wine breathe for a while both after popping the cork from the bottle and then sitting in a nice large bulbous glass, the nose immediately offers up a rich decadent whiff of blackcurrant, a hint of sweetness and finishes with some gentle heat.

On first sip the wine is tight but already succulent with plenty of supple tannins present as well as a perfectly balanced acidity. The overwhelming characters are blackcurrant with a little liquorice and mulled red fruits. A depth of flavour is noticeable, however, the complex elements are yet to emerge in their own right. Undoubtedly toasted oak is hidden away, something for the future, and one would expect smooth creamy vanilla to be a key component as the wine develops. There is structure here that shows off the quality of the winemaking, and as expected put this out on a dinner party table and this wine will already be a winner. For the patient oenophile, pop this in the cellar and wait 5-10 years for an awesome wine.

The 2019 vintage is a stunning example of this wine, utterly drinkable early but with oodles of potential to be had.

MD 96/100