2020 Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Five Generations has a little more nuance than the regular Cabernet. There’s a mixture of red and black fruit, becoming quite floral with aeration, the oak neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with a granular texture on the entry, well-judged acidity and nice proportions. It needs a little more brightness on the finish, where I might have blended a little Merlot or Petit Verdot. Again, quite a "serious" Cabernet, but it should age in bottle.

Full bottle 1,594 g. Tasted blind. Slightly dull blackish purple. Almost oxidised. Lacks freshness in a major way. Overripe fruit? Not gracious. Manages to be both pinched and sickly. (JR)

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Five Generations is made in the same way as the regular Cabernet Sauvignon, this a selection of the best 20 barrels raised entirely in new oak. It feels quite closed on the nose, the new wood naturally quite dominant at this stage with cedar and tobacco notes coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, balanced and focused, layers of slightly toasty black fruit and spice. Yet there is something a little conservative about this, which is put into sharp relief by the preceding Ghost Corner Syrah. Well constructed - yet it needs more personality.