2020 Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Barlow is a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from vines planted in the mid-80s at around 300m above sea level (higher, and the fruit doesn't ripen). It is matured for 20 months in two-thirds new French oak, around four months less than previously. It was brought in just as Covid began to shut down the country. The intense yet well-defined bouquet has mineral-rich black fruit, hints of black truffle and pencil box - focused and pure. The palate is medium-bodied with plush tannins counterbalanced by a silver bead of acidity. A mixture of black and blue fruit is laced with violets and white pepper, fanning out wonderfully on the finish. It will require 4-5 years to subsume the new oak, but there is a lot of panache in this cuvée.