Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Peak drinking window now - 2030.

Colour
Bright crimson red.

Nose
Proclaims Coonawarra, shouts Cabernet (respectfully!).
Tomato leaf, carpaccio and cassis weave their varietal magic.
Wafts of nutmeg, cardamom – possibly French oak-derived?
French polish ‘complexities’ offer a sampling of what awaits ahead in bottle, in cellar. 

Palate
Medium to full-bodied.
Overt – black olive, tomato consommé and mulberry.
Covert – sage/burnt butter ‘impressions’.
Grainy, malty tannins play with pithy, citrus acidity – both respectful of their Quercus landlord.
Savoury rather than fruity. 

Origin: Coonawarra, South Australia.

Maturation: 13 months in 100% new French oak hogsheads.

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon.

Winter rainfall was lower than the long-term average for most parts of South Australia, including Coonawarra. Variable conditions continued through the period from October to December, merging into a mild summer, with a few short periods of heat.

The mild daytime temperatures and cool evenings throughout the ripening period allowed impressive flavour development, without inflated baumés.