Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (5%), grown on the highest banks of terra rossa soil overlaying Coonawarra's limestone ridge and matured in French oak barrels for one year. Good quality cork closure. 13.5% A/V.
Classy high-toned, almost Bordeaux-like, nose riddled with soft fresh licorice, wet earth, green olive, Provencal herb, subtle weedy/leafy notes over deepset blackcurrant fruit and some of the best savoury, biscuity French oak imaginable. The palate is a little lean, acidic and tannic at first but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt just now and report back later once I've given it a good breathe.
Even with only a half hour in the glass this wine goes from strength to strength on the palate. Akin to a young, modern, left-bank classified growth, this classic Coonawarra blend does the trick with the palate fleshing out by the minute, delivering a most alluring elegant mouthful. I'm confident, with time, this wine will be of exceptional quality, rivalling the brilliant 2001 version of this label I've enjoyed on several occasions over a number of years. I'm almost convinced this is somehow superior, blessed with better structure and classier from start to finish. 93 points from me, today. Expect a better rating some time down the track. Drink now - 2024.
With another two hours down the tube, this wine continues its upward cycle. Now there's classic Coonawarra peppermint character stating a more "Aussie" theme amongst the plethora of other things I mentioned above. The palate gains intensity and weight without showing heaviness or flabbiness. Understandably, the tannin structure does require time to soften and some astringency needs to resolve. Gold medal standard wine.
