An opportunity to re-visit a wine that was my ‘Red Wine of the Year’ for the 2019 vintage. It is the top wine from Destiny Bay – a Waiheke Island producer that is, quite simply, aiming for perfection (see my article here > https://winefolio.co.nz/?p=5201). In Old World terms, this is a ‘left bank’ style, with Cabernet Sauvignon in a leading role at 71% of the 2020 blend.
An inkily dense black-rouge colour in the glass. The nose has volume and concentration, with a powerful definition of Cabernet Sauvignon character. Bramble, damson, cherry and blueberry are rounded out with incense, pencil shavings, espresso. Lavender and orchid floral top notes lift the sensation even higher. Full-bodied, rich and dry. A youthful tightness corsets the palate, but there is good juice and vitality too. The tannin is muscular too, with a bold spine – and the oak is fine, gravelly and adds a welcome warming touch, steering you away from austerity. The plush fruit rebounds (you start to notice the other varietals making a mark) on a spill of acidity, and you’re heading to the finish. The detail here suggests a long life ahead, with a finish that is elegant and endless. 98pts
