Brown Hill Estate Ivanhoe Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Cabernet minus merlot this time round. The aromatic lusciousness is no more and it is more than adequately replaced by pedigree fruit and a wonderful world of spice. Mulberry, red berries, a light herbal interplay on the bouquet surrounded utterly by spice, including an arresting, herbal-cum-Spanish lavender. In keeping with its reserve status, expect some robust tannins meeting up with you on the palate. They are there for a purpose, the firm structure bringing a tightly wound core of fruit intensity and, with it, so much potential for further ageing in the cellar. More time in bottle is only going to be win-win for both the drinker and the wine. However, the integration of fruit-oak-tannin is such that if you did feel the need to open now, you wouldn’t be too disappointed. Still, it’s a tight one that finishes a tad early.