This bracket of Cabernet was tasted single blind over the course of a day. Not a fool-proof method for one person as The Angelus and The Chosen are significantly taller bottles…so I knew I was pouring one or the other. Anyway, I’d already chosen to drink a couple of glasses of this with dinner by the time the identities were revealed.
It’s defined by its leafy, earthen savoury character although it has the mulberry and blackberry stuffing to back it up. Long strand tannins needed a full day to settle into their surrounds and they look better again this morning. Cedar and chocolate oak is well pitched and there are notes of pepper and clove spice. More complexity via pouch tobacco and roasted capsicum. Impressive graphite persistence. My initial impressions were guarded but I eventually came around to its way of thinking. 91+
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $75
Tasted: November 2013