Clandestine Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
- 94
- $30
- Drink by: 2022-2034
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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.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
