Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

A subtle change for Abercrombie in 2020, this vintage is exclusively sourced from Margaret River without any fruit from Mount Barker. It is quite a different expression, with powerful graphite, and gravel aromas enriched by thick layers of blackberry with a touch of cocoa, and new French oak never far away, topped by a layer of dried herbs. Quite classic in style, with meaty/chewy tannins over blackberry flavours with a faint whisper of peppermint. There is a sinewy, angular side to this wine right now which with obvious fruit power sets it up well for the long haul, although is far from peak.