Jim Brand Domain Coonawarra Cabernets Family Reserve 2019

Clearly, winemaking talent ruins in the family. Sam, the current family custodian, is the latest generation. I remember meeting Eric Brand, a Coonawarra legend, very briefly, when I first became interested in wine. Jim, in honour of whom these wines are named, I knew better and I am far from alone in saying that he would be immensely impressed and indeed humbled by what is and has been achieved in his name. He was a terrific bloke and bled Coonawarra Cabernet. Generous with his time and knowledge, sadly, he was taken from us far too early. As I mentioned, he’d be delighted with the wines Sam is making, but I think he would be blown away by this one especially. For me, the best I have yet seen under this label. It is a stunner and sits comfortably with the finest I have seen from Coonawarra in recent years. It sets a high bar for what we can expect from Sam in the future. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the fruit used here is selected from their very best 1% of the fruit harvested. Deep magenta, it opens with a wonderful nose. Violets, blackcurrants, mint, bergamot, bay leaves and cassis. Seamless and complete, this is so finely balanced. Move to the palate and licorice emerges – licorice and mint. Great length here with silky tannins too. This is so well crafted that the hand of man seems entirely absent. Glorious now, it will sail through twenty years – and likely be even better then. If there is a heaven, Jim is looking down on us and enjoying a glass (better yet, a bottle) of this wine.