THE BOMB 2012

This wine is a Stellenbosch heavy weight Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot from the Helderberg, Somerset West. If you're not prepared to take a blow or 2, do not get into the ring with the BOMB! PLATTER - 4 Star

The Story:

This wine started way back - January 2012. I was left with a batch of 2010 wine in barrel that just did not fit into the blends it was intended for. And when I tested the alcohol, it was over 15%; I thought it was way too high, but LOVED the wine. After bottling, the department of agriculture came back with the final analysis. An alcohol of 16.14% - GOODNESS?!

I stacked the wine in the back of the warehouse, not sure what to do with it. I then had a tasting at the Hinterhofkabuff with a German guy called Martin Baulmann, who subsequently became my agent in Germany. We tasted all my wines and at the end he asked me if I have something big for him to taste. "How do you mean; BIG?", I asked. "In colour, extraction, tannin?..."." Like in 15% alcohol...", he replied. "I think I have something even better for you" I said. So I opened a still unlabelled bottle and poured him a glass of what I was planning to name Midnight Call. He loved it and wanted to buy everything. For those of you who do not know Martin: He has a big frame, laughs loudly, and lives large. So afterwards I sat in the Hinterhofkabuff drinking a glass, thinking of this very big guy that loved this very loud wine. It seemed natural to change the name to THE BOMB.

So this is the 2012 BOMB in bottle now. A massive wine, red ripe Helderberg Cabernet fruit, super extracted but balanced. This wine has an alcohol of 15.5% and you will not be able to taste it. It is just too balanced. But you feel it after a glass or two, so at least share the bottle!