2001 Clarendon Hills Sandown Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

The vines that produce the Sandown Cabernet are 70 years old, and are cropped at 2.5 tonnes per acre. As with the Brookman Cabernet, the wine has been matured in 80% new French barriques and 20% one year old.

Tasting Note: Roman regards this wine as his parallel of Chateau Leoville Las Cases, the magnificent second growth from 1982 St Julien. When asked the reason for not blending Merlot or other Cabernet family varietals, the answer comes back, that at Clarendon Hills there is no need too as the Cabernet reaches its full expression and concentration without the need of the traditional ‘infill’ varietals. Totally opaque black purple colour. Magnificent nose, filled with intense aroma of spice, cinnamon, liquorice, blackcurrant, cedar and liquorice allsorts. The palate is tighter, with the Cabernet fruit asserting its dominance, yet there are no palate shortcomings. Concentrated flavours of liquorice, blackcurrant, cedar and toasted oak – the essence of Cabernet. A very refined, yet powerful Cabernet. Fine grained, dry tannins, perfect balance, followed by an exceptionally long aftertaste.
Cellar 15-20 years (2017-2022)
Alc/Vol: 13.5%

RATING: 99/100

VALUE: XXXXX/5