Heirloom Vineyards, Coonawarra (South Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 This is a fine example of Cabernet from Coonawarra, which is notably cooler than the other famous red wine appellations of South Australia such as McLaren Vale or Barossa.  This translates into Cabernets that are typically fresher in acidity and more focused in “shape” and texture, often with a light herbal tinge reminiscent of Cabernet from the world’s best regions prior to the acceleration of climate change.  This wine will still unfold many complexities in the years ahead for those who can manage to stay patient, which won’t be easy as the wine is already delicious in a straightforward way.  Still, what I like best about this is how tightly coiled the wine is now, but without seeming at all “hard” or inexpressive.