2020 Pauletts 109 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley

Spends 18 months in French oak (30% new). The '109' a reference to Neil Paulett being the 109th winemaker to graduate from Roseworthy Agricultural College. Soft, mellow and mellifluous red wine. Dark chocolate, coffee, ripe plum and clove-cedar spice to sniff on. The palate is more of the same, with chewy, grippy tannins of espresso granule-like chomp. It's a hedonistic red, brooding, big and full. It finds pretty good balance in its approach too, albeit the acidity poking out through the finish distracts a tad. Cellar time would be great.

92 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au