Jim Brand The Pursuit Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

One suspects that like most of the Brand family, Jim had Cabernet running through his veins, Coonawarra Cabernet at that. He would be very proud of what his family is now achieving (and of course, everything they have already achieved) and I have no doubt that he would have loved this wine. Anyone who knew Jim, even briefly, knew him as a gentleman and a man generous with his time and knowledge, sadly taken from us far too early. Sam, a fourth generation Brand, continues his legacy. 

The fruit for this cracking Coonawarra Cabernet was sourced from the ‘Yates’ vineyard, planted in 1985, in the mid-west of the Coonawarra region. 2018 is well known as a fine vintage for the region. Grapes were harvested by a mix of hand and machine, allowing for the various batches to remain separate until blending. The grapes were crushed and destemmed into an open top
stainless fermenter, cultured yeasts and then pumping over, thrice daily. Fermentation was completed in a mix of new and older oak. The juice was racked off and then returned to oak, again a mix of new and second fill French and American, for 22 months, before the batches were assessed and blended. 

A deep, dark purple colour. The nose is both alluring and revealing – revealing in the sense that one is immediately taken straight to Coonawarra and Cabernet. Black fruits, cassis, plums, dry herbs, dark chocolate, some earth notes, mint and spices as well. Clearly a wine which needs time, though one which will give great pleasure now, as well, if one must. Fine tannins and great length, with the wine maintaining its intensity right through. This is a really good example of Coonawarra Cabernet, a fine tribute to Jim and a wine which has a long future ahead of it.