Crescendo, Stellenbosch, 2020

Name: Crescendo, Stellenbosch
Brand: Taaibosch
Price: 202.73 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2018 2019 2020

justerini & brooks tasting note

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and cement, followed by a long gentle cuvaison of around 60 days. The wines are blended and moved to French barrique, a third new, where they rest for 14 months. After that it is re-assembled entirely and split 70% in to foudré and 30% in to cement for another year in order to “refine the mouthfeel and heighten the sense of perfume. We get all the benefit of foudré ageing without adding any extra wood tannin or taste.” It is then kept back in bottle for a year prior to release. No shortcuts. In our opinion, Taaibosch Crescendo is South Africa’s best Bordeaux-blend right now and a wine worth following.

critic reviews

93/100Monica Larner,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The Taaibosch 2020 Stellenbosch Crescendo is a blend of 49% Cabernet Franc, 36% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in a combination of foudre, 225-liter French oak barrel and cement egg. The 2020 is the third vintage released under the Taaibosch name. The wine reveals savory Cabernet aromas with medium-rich concentration, blackberry, exotic spice and hints of dry sage. A smoky side comes through with barbecue and campfire ash. The wine is elegant, and the fine tannins are well managed. All the fruit comes from the estate, and 40,000 bottles were made.

DRINKING WINDOW 2024 - 2032

date of review 06/2025

93/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2020 Crescendo contains more Merlot and less Cabernet Franc this vintage because one vat was picked too ripe—winemaker Shalk Joubert felt that it risked altering the style of the wine too much. It matured in 25% new oak for 14 months, then went into 75% foudres and 25% cement for a year. It has a glorious, wonderfully delineated bouquet with ebullient cranberry and raspberry scents, hints of dark chocolate and a touch of peppermint. The palate is medium-bodied and pure with slightly grainy tannins and minty red fruit, beautifully balanced with a svelte and harmonious finish. Very stylish, this is a classy Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend that represents outstanding value for the money.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2048

date of review 09/2024