Pikes The Vanguard Cabernet 2021

Always very exciting to see a brand new wine from a top-notch producer, especially when it comes in as their flagship. From the brilliant 2021 vintage, this is a tribute to co-founder Andrew Pike, the viticulturalist behind the operation, and all of the work he has done for the estate, the region, and other regions beyond. Only fifty dozen made, so jump in. A barrel selection from three top blocks of estate Cabernet which were planted between 1996 and 2009, the wine saw ten months in older French barriques. A dark maroon hue with a magenta rim, there is an appealing use of oak here, which is integrating well. The nose exhibits notes of blackberries, chocolate, spices, aniseed, tobacco leaves, graphite, smoked meats and cocoa powder. This is a finely constructed wine with immaculate balance and excellent length, seamless, with the silkiest of tannins and good juicy acidity. Enjoy it for the next eight to fifteen years, likely longer.