Stonehaven Stepping Stone Cabernet 2020

Picked from the estate’s twenty-year-old vineyards, the grapes were allowed to ripen late to increase flavour. After sorting, there was gentle crushing, small batch fermentation and ‘gentle cap management’. The wine saw ten days skin contact with 30% of it maturing in French oak. Dark red in colour, this has some herbal, green leaf notes, so often seen in Cabernet. It also has notes of black fruits, black olives and bitter chocolate. Good varietal Cab characters. This is a little more structured and austere than the Merlot, with slightly firmer tannins. Good length here with a future of at least four to five years. Whether you prefer the Merlot or this Cabernet is going to come down to personal preference. Both are well made enjoyable wines and both represent excellent value.