Lifted nose with a floral character, notes of herbs, iodine and lots of oak spice. Harmonious in the mouth, grippy and fresh.

Full bottle 1,360 g. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, bottled 19 August. ‘Drought-breaking winter storms replenished ground-water reserves at Monte Bello. Warm summer weather ripened grapes for an October harvest. Significant tannins showed in the earliest fermentations so we reduced pumpovers to avoid over-extraction. For this wine we blended the lots showing softer tannins and great fruit intensity. Though approachable now, it will continue to develop greater complexity over the next ten years.’ Very deep crimson. Exotically spicy notes rather reminiscent of stereotypical Mouton! An attractive drink already with ripe, interesting fruit and a dry finish. Not ashamed to display a bit of tannin at this early juncture – very unlike most California Cabs. Relatively GV . (JR)