Utopos Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 - In Bond

Stuart McCloskey "The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is an entirely different proposition from previous releases - Barossa meets the Margaret River along with a few toes in Bordeaux. After an hour in the decanter, the bouquet opens to an evocative medley of blackberry, raspberry, juniper, violet, a smidge of fresh cedar, sea salt along with a whiff of blood orange. In many ways, the bouquet reminds me of the 2019 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River) which received almost a perfect note from Aussie critic, The Wine Pilot. The palate is medium-bodied, and the tannins feel graceful and crisp. Like the ’22 Standish releases – ripeness is evident but toned down compared to previous releases, which I prefer. This certainly comes across unforced, super-natural, precise and focussed. Texture is important to me, and this delivers a gossamer-like-feel. Sumptuous being a good description. There’s a feast of fruits to enjoy – blackcurrant, blackberry, redcurrant, briary, a touch of rosemary along with underlying salinity. The sorbet-like finish provides such wonderful freshness without detracting from the ripeness. Honestly, there’s not a hair out of place. Harmony personified.  Undoubtedly, this is a glorious Cabernet Sauvignon which I would happily serve today (1-2 hours in a decanter) through to 2040. Of course, 4-5 years would be a great time to re-examine progress.  Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware." 

Kym Teusner "Dense blood red colour. The aromatic is sooooooo deep and pleasurable.  Almost embarrassingly so…. Dusty tobacco leaf and ripe red pepper highlighted with wafts of herbaceousness.  All of this is underpinned with violets, black currants and intense raspberry.  Lifted spicy French oak and vanilla bean play their part. The palate is super rich, round and full but kept in check with the freshness of the acidity so as to not be at all overbearing.  Dark red fruits and crunchy redcurrant lead the way into dark chocolate with flashes of peppermint, rosehip and elderberry.  Lovely savoury balance. The palate is long with great structure and acidity to balance the richness."