Bleasdale The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The Iron Duke? That’s a story for pondering over a glass, involving Bleasdale founder, Frank Potts, and Imperial Russian sabre rattling in the 1870s. Frank Potts was some guy. This wine pays homage to him. It’s one of Bleasdale’s flagship reds, full of serious intent and weight and richness. Opens with a swathe of ripe, bright cassis and black cherry intensity, tilled earth, olive, violets. A finely-crafted French oak framework plays a role, bringing a vanillin, woodsy spice focus. The palate moves into foresty, leafy cabernet characters and rich flavours played out against a background of dense, firm tannins. Decanting is advised if you wish to partake now.