Koomilya Cabernet Touriga 2018

"This is exceptional, although not for the faint of heart. A mid-weighted and immensely savoury wine that is compact, portentous and so tightly bound to a ferrous orb of tannins that it makes one revel in the anticipation of the next sip. Italian of feel. Steely of resolve. Earthenware, herb, violet, biltong and a dusty swathe of dried plum and tobacco. The tannins are reminiscent of certain Wendouree cuvees or better, great Taurasi. They are a forcefield of enticement, confidence and saliva-sucking moreishness. I want to drink this whole bottle solo, so good is it. A stellar wine hailing from a spellbinding site." 97 Points.  Ned Goodwin MW (Halliday Wine Companion)

Upon purchasing the vineyard in 2012 Steve PannelI saw it as an ideal place to create a blend that included varieties he believe will see McLaren Vale into the future and, furthermore, complement the traditional varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. He grafted two contoured and terraced blocks on deep red soil to Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional; planted Graciano and Mataro; and restored the health of a neglected row of Mataro planted in the mid-19th century.

Blending with Cabernet Sauvignon was never planned but as fate would have it there is magic between the two varieties that can’t be ignored. The nose shows blackcurrant bon bons, cassis, black tea, mahogany and violet. The classic Cabernet leafiness is toned and buffed by Touriga’s dark floral notes. The dark, faintly sweet entry is delicious, the complexity immediately apparent. The tannins are taut and dusty, like splitting red gum for the combustion stove, and the finish has a precision, tension and length