Hewitson The Dorrien Bank Cabernet 2022

From a vineyard planted in 1996 that came into the Hewitson fold in 2019, after several years of serious vineyard rehabilitation, we now have this 100% Barossa Cab. 10% whole bunches incorporated and then 18 months in a mix of new and older French oak barriques. A deep, dark maroon hue, the nose offers up aromas of violets, chocolate, florals, orange rind, bergamot and tobacco leaves. A most expressive nose. I’d be fascinated to see what wine lovers would opt for if this was presented in a blind tasting. A cracking wine but I’m not certain it is definitely obviously varietal Cabernet (or definitely obviously varietal anything). Of course, nothing wrong with a wine just being great drinking. The palate moves to characters of aniseed, mulberries and blueberries. This is seamless in structure, a wine of medium weight with very fine tannins. Well balanced, expect this to give pleasure for at least eight to ten years. Good stuff.