De Toren 2004 Fusion V Coastal Region ($45). Opulent and delicious, with supple red cherry and ripe plum fruit layered with smoky coffee and spicy dark chocolate notes that linger on the lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (World Wide Wine 06/07)

Engelbrecht-Els

Graham Beck 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Coastal Region ($15). Appealing rustic character, with dusty plum and black cherry, spicy bittersweet chocolate, and smoky oak notes that show some grip on the finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/06)

Guardian Peak

2006 Frontier Western Cape ($15). Quite tasty, with aromatic black plum and berry fruit accented with smoky tobacco and sweet, toasty oak, with an evolving, appealing finish. Nice complexity at this price. Ready to drink now. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Shiraz (25%) and Merlot. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-05-28)

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch Lapa ($37). Big and bold, with ripe blueberry, fig and blackberry flavors accented with smoky vanilla and spicy dark chocolate that linger nicely on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 04/08)

Meerlust 2001 Rubicon Stellenbosch ($30). Pruney, almost Port-like, but really interesting for its dense mouthfeel, dried fruit character, cigar box and mineral notes, and complex finish. A Bordeaux varietal blend. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 06/07)

Rupert & Rothschild 1998 Classique Coastal Region ($20). This red Meritage presents good concentrated fruit and appealing espresso and spice notes. Nice structure and balance, with a generous finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)

Rust en Vrede 2003 Stellenbosch ($46). Full-bodied and ripe, with concentrated red berry and currant fruit accented with dusty cocoa powder, leather, tar and meat notes. This is a big, masculine wine that needs something like a well-marbled steak to go with. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 06/07)

Rustenberg 2004 John X Merriman Simonsberg-Stellenbosch ($30). Pretty, with lush red cherry and berry fruit laced with mocha, violet, mint and toasty oak notes that linger on the smooth finish. Ready to drink now. (World Wide Wine 06/07)

Sebeka 2007 Cabernet Pinotage Western Cape ($10). Aromatic, spicy dark chocolate accents blackberry and black currant fruit, with sage, smoke and vanilla appearing on the lingering finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-12-19)

Vilafonte

2003 Series M Paarl ($50). Silky Bordeaux blend, with velvety red berry fruit laced with toasty oak, vanilla, cinnamon, milk chocolate and appealing flinty notes. Easy to enjoy. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.

2003 Series C Paarl ($70). Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), with additions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this is elegant and nicely structured. With pretty, concentrated blackberry and red plum flavors layered with coffee, spicy oak, and chocolate flavors that linger on the complex finish. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.