Brand & Sons Sanctuary Coonawarra Cabernet 2019

From vineyards on the famous red terra rossa soil in central Coonawarra, planted in 1985. After destemming, the grapes are pressed directly to barrel. The wine spends two years maturing in French oak (mostly), half of which is new. Only 220 dozen made. This is the team’s prestige release and made from barrel selection. An opaque maroon colour, there is serious power and intensity here. Notes of chocolate, tobacco leaf, new leather, warm earth, blackberries, soy and aniseed. Supple texture, very fine tannins, an exemplary structure. The palate sees some delicious blueberries emerge. The wine is nicely balanced with great length and is a twenty year proposition – really impressive.