An unprecedented early, warm harvest is the overlay of conversation here, though hallmark Rippon tannin profiles and bright acidity has been up to the task in the suite of 2018 red wine releases. Tension, precision, energy, length. Coiled and pent up, a wine of inward concentration, great velocity, a mesh of dark cherry fruit, spice, garrigue-like characters and smoky-mineral notes. Whoosh. Incredible. One of those wines you peg down to phrases like ‘power and grace’ though that hardly does it justice. This has the torsion and tannin profile of greatest wines in world, a sheath and length of epic nature. And delicious – fragrant, fruit pure yet complex, and all up a wonderful experience. Alcohol : 13.50%