We were lucky enough to try this at our recent wine dinner with Jackson’s family wines. Rather young but truly delicious even at this youthful stage. Tasting notes courtesy of Stuart Grostern who generated these over several hours of decanting in the afternoon prior to our dinner. Such was his excitement he arrived with the wines at 6.50pm for a 7pm Kick off!

Tasting note – after opening with double decant – 30 mins

Deep crimson and ruby with lively viscous legs denoting the 14.5% ABV

Nose is superb: Ripe blackcurrant, blackberry liqueur, a lingering savoury meaty element with a bright red plum and cherry lift, followed by perfumed cedar, blackcurrant leaf, sandalwood, fresh vanilla pod, a hint of milk chocolate, a bit of pencil shavings, and lifted tones of violets encompassed by new oak.

Stunningly elegant and evocatively haunting palate: Fruit is all ripe not overripe with a strong surge of acidity highlighting the red cherry and plum and a long finish tending to concentrated blackcurrant with a hint of savoury meatiness.

Tannins are fine but very abundant and a bit grippy, with oak not feeling quite fully integrated. Warm finish denoting the ABV level. Super balance and elegance with an undercurrent of power supported by the structure. Will transform to a magnificent example of Napa elegance balanced with power.

Available from various retailers. Not a weekday wine!