Aylesbury Estate The Pater Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Stuart McCloskey "Wistful moments as this takes me back to my Bordeaux En-Primeur tasting days. This is young, stylish, confident, cool and calm. This requires decanting (a few hours should suffice) and would benefit from a few extra years in the cellar. Stylistically, this finely tuned Cabernet Sauvignon will please those seeking a ‘classical’ style without the expense of fruit. Those looking for a full throttle style should stop reading. I’ve spent two days with this bottle (not exclusively) as I wanted to see how the wine unfolds. The winemaking is sensitive. Full of ‘decorum’ would be the best description covering all the senses. The bouquet unfurls to blackberry, liquorice, pencil shaving, bay leaf, black olive, warm earth, sweet spice from the use of new, French oak. The palate is sublimely elegant - I particularly like the tender touch left by the winemaker. It’s a lovely example of a wine that doesn’t try to impress. Instead, the fruit gently rolls across the palate – acidity crackles in the background. The tannins add a fresh bite as does the use of French barriques (40% new). Super-long finish – fennel seeds linger for minutes. Very clean too… This is a beautiful wine that reflects its varietal and terroir perfectly (in the purest sense). Highly recommended. Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux stemware."

Vintage Notes from Aylesbury: After a dry winter and spring, the 2020 vintage commenced early in February and was completed by the end of March. Even though the yields were lower than in the previous years, our grapes were pure and disease free with superior quality, thus bringing increased intensity to the wine. The vintage overall was sensational, producing wines of wonderful complexity, balance, and fruit concentration - pristine and clean, like the region itself.