Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Abercrombie reminds us of the delight that comes with a multi-regional blend. Before the rise and rise of the distinguished single vineyard site, there was the very Australian concept of the multi-regional red. Here, Margaret River (53%) and Mount Barker (47%) join forces.

Opens quietly and succinctly – there’s a theme happening here – which makes it more of a still-waters-run-deep kind of wine. Abercrombie requires, demands your attention.

Tight-knitted and tense, it reveals a world of black fruits – blackberry, black olive, blackcurrant – and wild red berries. That wildness lingers with Aussie bush, bracken, briar. Flavours move up a notch with the introduction of dark chocolate, licorice, roasted nuts, vanilla bean.  Emerging savouriness. Rounded tannins noted, new French oak, too.

Tight and firm, it’s learning to unwind. . .  slowly.