Cape Wine 2012 has been a busy week. I’ve been running around interviewing as many people as possible for Wine Searcher (yes, it has a magazine on the homepage if you didn’t already know, so take a look) including How Apartheid Saved South Africa’s Old Vine Heritage, attending seminars where producers have called for the Wines of Origin scheme to be revised, and finding out that consumers are clueless about Chenin Blanc.

In between seminars and interviews, however, I got time to taste some excellent wines. I’ve been really impressed with the quality across the board. Highlights include the country’s cabernet sauvignons. The best are claret-like in their elegance without the sweet fruit of the new world, giving mid weight wines with fresh natural acidities and a firm but ripe tannic structure. It’s been hard to pick out favorites with many 18.5s out of 20 but I think it has to go toOldenburg Vineyards’ effort from 2009 for its purity, finesse and elegance.