Stephen Tanzer
"93 pts ... A Bordeaux blend based on 62% Cabernet Sauvignon. Saturated ruby. Classic cabernet aromas of cassis, licorice, minerals, cedar and tobacco. Rich, sweet and pliant; stuffed with dark berry, spicecake and mineral flavors. A large-scaled, wonderfully ripe wine with terrific inner-mouth energy, solid structure and impressive building persistence. One of South Africa's elite Bordeaux blends."

Wine Enthusiast
"94 pts ... 'Editor's Choice' A subdued, classic spice nose leads this impressive Bordeaux blend from powerhouse producer Ernie Els. The wine is structured but soft, vibrant but restrained—in short, an exceptional balance of leathery spice, plum and blackberry juiciness and delicate minerality. Very pretty but with a backbone, this wine can age for added elegance."

Wine Spectator
"91 pts ... Well-built, with black currant, bacon, grilled herb, tobacco and fig flavors supported by a good firm structure underneath. Excellent length, with the fruit and spice delivering another wave on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2009."

Winemaker's Notes
"Fruit driven with a combination of red currant, cassis, and plum fruits. The fruit is supported by violets, with hints of vanilla and spice. Well-built, with black currant, herb, tobacco and fig flavors."

Technical Notes
"The different clones are kept separate throughout vinification. This wine is made in a full robust style and has the potential to age. Aged in French Oak barrels for 20 months. Bottle-aged for an additional 18 months. Acid 6.02 g/L; p.H. 3.66. 14% alc."

Winemaker's Notes
"55% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Shiraz 8% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Malbec Aroma: The wine is prominent Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics of sandalwood, leather and tobacco aromas. These are supported by hints of spice from the Shiraz and a strong blackberry core. Full, juicy red fruits and floral aromas complete the bouquet. Palate: The Engelbrecht Els 2007 has a medium palate weight with tannins that are showing good integration and length. The Initial mineral impression is followed by juicy plum and black cherry flavours and concludes with a smoky coffee aftertaste. Impression: “An accessible wine with a rich oak component that will benefit from further maturation, reaching its peak after 6 - 8 years."

Technical Notes
"55% Cabernet Sauvignon 22% Shiraz 8% Merlot 5% Petit Verdot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Malbec The different clones are vinified separately in open, stainless steel fermenters. The combination of punch down and pump overs ensure maximum extraction of grape flavors and tannins. Aged for 18 months in 80% French and 20% American Oak barrels. Acid 6.1 g/L; p.H. 3.7 15% alc."

Wine Spectator
"94 pts ... Concentrated and very polished, with layers of black Mission fig, currant confiture, maduro tobacco, black tea and mocha-infused toast all gliding over supersupple tannins. Very long and poised. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2012."--03/09

Stephen Tanzer
"90(+?) pts ... A five-variety Bordeaux blend based on 59% cabernet sauvignon) Good full ruby. Aromas of cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate and pepper. Silky, dense and sweet, with a slightly clenched quality to its dark berry, black cherry and pepper flavors. Intensely flavored and quite juicy for this hot year. This very young blend's firm tannic spine calls for several years of patience." -- 03/09

Winemaker's Notes
"The aroma of the wine is fruit driven with combination of the black fruits plum, cherries and blackberries. The fruitcake aromas are rounded off by a subtle oak spice to the finish .There are also distinctive earthy undertones to this claret. The fruit from the aroma follows through onto a seductive mid-palate, supported by a silky mineral feel with hints of oak and backed by a sweet tannin finish. This wine offers great middle palate complexity with a lingering spicy finish. Drink now through 2015."

Technical Notes
"59% Cabernet Sauvignon/25% Merlot/6% Petit Verdot/5% Cabernet Franc/5% Malbec. The different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot are kept separate (micro-vinified) throughout vinification. Vinified in 300 litre French oak barrels for 20 months, the wine underwent bottle maturation for a further 18 months. This wine is made in a full robust style and has the potential to age. 15% alc."