2017 Colgin ‘Cariad’ Meritage

WA96+: Composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cariad displays a very deep purple-black color. It bursts from the glass with an immediately compelling first waft of blueberry compote, plum preserves, licorice and fertile loam with emerging hints of candied violets, mossy tree bark, oolong tea and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is surprisingly elegant with a firm backbone of ripe, finely pixilated tannins and bold freshness, featuring all the black fruit layers suggested on the nose arranged with beautiful composure, finishing very long on a provocative iron ore note.

JD97: A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cariad is another sensational wine from Allison Tauziet. It offers a beautiful blue fruit character as well as plenty of violets, tobacco, dark chocolate, and gravelly earth. This beauty is full-bodied, incredibly pure and focused, brilliantly balanced, and has a great, great finish. It needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age and, as with the Tychson Hill, I suspect will still be drinking beautifully at age 30.