Clandestine Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A fine example of Cabernet from the Mt Barker region in Australia’s West. Sourced from a single vineyard, the Landsdale
Vineyard, planted in 1996, with east/west facing rows. The soil is ironstone gravel/loam. The juice undergoes fermentation for ten days in open fermenters, with gentle pumpovers twice daily during ferment, reducing to daily and subsequently weekly, with maturation and malolactic fermentation in a single closed fermenter. The wine then spends 16 months in seasoned French oak. Minimal filtration. Just 6,000 bottles. 

The colour is very dark – think a moonless night. Aromas of dried herbs, blackberries, cloves, chocolate and black olives. There is some tobacco leaf evident and a hint of animal hide. Over the journey, notes of spice and leather emerge. Good concentration here, this one is set up for future success. Carefully crafted structure, there is some noticeable grip too plus good focus and length. This will age for a decade or more, though can certainly be enjoyed now. Terrific value, this is an impressive Cab for the long haul, when it will seem like daylight robbery, not just terrific value.