JM 1ST APPROACH

This is a deep purple red in colour, glowing with health. It has a classic Cabernet nose, full of dusty, slightly leafy Cabernet fruit, blackberry, cassis and dark berries mingled together with spices, a touch of vanilla, and hints of graphite. A complete nose showing class all the way. The palate does not disappoint. It has a raspberry and blackberry fruit all the way through the length of the palate, with a touch of pencil shavings oak, hints of tobacco and spice, and a lovely creamy mouthfeel. It has beautiful mid-palate fruit weight, and good length with a long fine tannins. It has structure and class and elegance, and it is delicious now, or will cellar beautifully in the medium term. Absolute class. The Auswine panel

They say it takes a great vintage to weed out the poor vineyards and winemakers, but only a tough season can truly define the greats. Crucially, definitively – indeed surprisingly for a vineyard at 500m altitude in a vintage as uncharacteristically cool as 2011 – this cabernet is ripe. Its light to medium purple hue is pale by the standards of this vineyard, yet true to the season. Crunchy black- and redcurrants are on show, edged with blackcurrant bud, green capsicum and leaf. The palate rides a taut backbone of cool vintage, high altitude acidity, supported by subtle dark chocolate and coffee oak. Fruit-focused tannins are finely structured, well matched to the gentle demeanour of the vintage, yet with a presence and command that promise confidence in the cellar. As always, it’s too young on release and screams out for a vigorous decant. 92 points Tyson Tselzer