2017 Flowstone Cabernet Touriga, Margaret River

71/29% cabernet sauvignon/touriga, the cabernet from Forest Grove and Wilyabrup, the touriga from Yallingup. Fermented separately, each on skins for 14–19 days, matured in French oak (25% new) for 24 months, then in bottle for 2 years prior to release. Stuart Pym has strong feelings about touriga and its suitability to blend with cabernet sauvignon. To me, the idea of blending these very tannic varieties (and then leaving them in oak for 2 years) suggests that the tannins will somehow multiply from every angle and the wine will become impenetrable. But this wine is not impenetrable. In fact, while the tannins are firm and omnipresent, they are fine, serving to shape the spicy fruit, rather than quash it. An impressive achievement, Pym. I'm listening.

93 points Erin Larkin winecompanion.com.au