2021 Mystery Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Deal No. 66

97 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday's Wine Companion

Sourced from adjacent rows of 40yo vines using archetypal cabernet vinification. Hand-pruned to control the yield to 5t/ha; cold maceration and pressed directly to oak for 18 months in French hogsheads. This is a seriously good cabernet that has taken full advantage of an excellent vintage courtesy of skilled vinification by winemaker Ben Wurst. Its length is exceptional, as is its structure and slinky tannins, part fruit, part oak.

97 POINTS

James Halliday - Halliday's Wine Companion

Sourced from adjacent rows of 40-year-old vines hand-pruned to control the yield to 5t/ha. Cold maceration and pressed direct to oak for 18 months in French hogsheads. This is a seriously good cabernet from an excellent vintage. Its length is exceptional, as is its structure and slinky tannins, part fruit, part oak."

95 POINTS

Ken Gargett - WinePilot.com

Under diam, this hails from a 40-year-old vineyard in Coonawarra. After an extended maceration, this was pressed directly to French oak hogsheads for 18 months maturation. Inky purple. This is concentrated, plush, focused. The nose offers alluring blackberries, licorice, beef stock, spices, a hint of mint and warm bitumen. Balanced, elegant, intense and very long, with silky tannins. This is one for the long haul. The palate moves to notes of bergamot and mulberries. There is early evidence of the complexity which is surely to come. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

91 POINTS

Jeni Port - winepilot.com

A wine of impact on a number of fronts. The cork and wax seal, the deep-punted heavy bottle indicate as much. As does the vintage date; 2021 was considered a top year. Then there’s the good, strong, upfront Cabernet profile, splendid in bramble, mint, briar, earth, black fruits and spice. Flows easily, evenly. Tell-tale regional terroir can’t be missed in Coonawarra choc mint, spearmint and eucalypt which, it should be noted, doesn’t dominate but is more of an adjunct, encased in fruit, spice, smart vanillin oak and a warm, textural embrace. There’s no doubting the ripeness and power of the fruit, but it is handled well. Boasts strong drink now appeal but there is also opportunity for further ageing. A plus-plus kind of wine.