Parker First Growth 2019

From an exceptional vineyard planted on the famous Coonawarra Terra Rossa soil, ‘First Growth’ is only made in the finest years and clearly this was one of them. There’s aromas of blackberry, big fleshy Kalamata olives warmed in the oven with springs of rosemary, blackcurrant leaf tea, cinnamon sticks and Dutch salted licorice. I was delayed in tasting it for what seemed ages because I just wanted to bask in the scent. After that smoulderingly sexy aroma profile, the initial sensation on the palate is surprisingly bright and juicy – blueberry and blackcurrant, sliced strawberries, red delicious apple skin. There’s also hints of eucalypt and cocoa powder with savoury, tea-like tannins, and a vibrant, yellow plum acidity. I want to tell you to hold off on drinking this and you should, but you should also taste it now because this is such a charming expression of the best of Australian Cabernet. Decant it to release more juicy cherries and sweet vanilla spice as it opens up.