2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Kronos

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Kranos Vineyard captures every bit of the potential I sensed when I tasted it prior to release. A vertical, explosive wine, the 2013 dazzles with its purity and statuesque intensity. Black fruit, graphite, dried herbs, menthol, licorice and exotic plum build into the rich, hedonistic finish. Readers lucky enough to own it can look forward to another 15-20 years of exceptional drinking. Fabulous..

I have kept this bottle carefully for years after buying it in London and bringing it over to Bordeaux, and it totally delivered on expectations. To be honest, I had a moment of wondering if I needed to drink it up, and so opened it just in case, but was underestimating how brilliantly Kronos can age. The tension, balance and elegance are striking, but so is the generosity and pleasure - think pure liqourice root, cigar box, tomato leaf, blueberry fruit, rose petals and spiced Christmas cake. Intense and concentrated but langurous and measured. Beautiful wine from a master winemaker.

Lot 7. Mid crimson with a pale rim. More intense and ripe on the nose than the Spottswoode 2014. Rich but appetising with a light animal note and also some cassis liqueur. Quite marked tannins on the end. (JR)