A Merlot dominant blend (38%) with Cabernet Franc (36%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) taken 100% from the Golden Mile Bench appellation, then the wine is aged in 60% new and 40% 1 year old barrels, all French, for a total of 16 months. This wine needs time, lots of time, the two bottles I tried were 1) fresh and 2) opened for 12 hours and decanted and yet were still tight and tough: cocoa, blackberry, blueberry, floral, smoky, oaky and toasty on the nose, which follows onto the palate adding cassis, tobacco, smoked-raspberry, mocha and an intense chalky finish – great complexity, but time is needed to bring it all out. Drink 2020-2032 and maybe beyond.

Price: $46.50 – Rating: **** ½+