2018 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley

Deep, dense, dark red with a tinge of purple and a bouquet of tomato bush with back-up vanilla and chocolate. A very full-bodied cabernet with muscle and grip, young for its years and firm, with oak and skin tannins aplenty. Slight bitterness on the follow-through. A solid, slow-aging cabernet that will be long-lived and for my money, needs a bit more time in a dark place. 15 JUL 2022 Drink 2024–2038

Huon Hooke therealreview.com JUL 2022

The Clare Valley does make some of Australia’s most ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignon with warm dry summers helping to bring out the beast within – chunky tannins plus rich and ripe fruits. The 2017 vintage has helped to tame the beast somewhat and Adam Eggins... has managed to craft an impressively elegant wine that is also built to last – a classic cabernet. Deeply coloured, it bursts with crystal clear and focussed red and blackcurrant fruits lifted by touches of dry and green herb complexity. The wine is then dry and mid-weight – bright acidity is well matched to sinewy tannins that drive a very long and fine finish. Put it away for a couple of years and then bring it out to match a Spring leg of lamb with rosemary.

94 points Angus Hughson Wine Pilot Nov 2020

The wine had a period of extended skin contact before being pressed and transferred to fine-grained French oak barrels (40% new, 60% 2 - 3 year old) for a period of 18 months maturation prior to being bottled.

At release, the wine is an intense red colour with a vibrant purple hue to the edge. The wine has an enticing, lifted aroma of ripe blackcurrants, choc mint, subtle spice and a hint of dried tomato leaf. The overall nose character is one of richness and elegance.

On the palate it is a very well-balanced wine with ripe blackcurrant characters, along with chocolate and mint intermingling harmoniously with oak characters of cedar and subtle tobacco. There is an understated power to the wine, with layers of complexity building across the palate and then finishing elegantly with long, fine tannins. It is a generous wine yet retains poise and the elegance of great Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted for immediate enjoyment but will cellar over a long term under ideal conditions.