The 2021 Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the Hickinbotham vineyard in Clarendon, in McLaren Vale. It is truly one of the lovely vineyard areas in Australia, with rolling hills, dramatic valleys and a proximity to the ocean. From memory, this vineyard was planted to Houghton clone, or includes some of the Houghton clone selection in it (from Western Australia), and the wine feels structural and velvety at once. You get cassis, raspberry compote, dark chocolate, tobacco, licorice (salted black cats!), cardamom and mulberry off the bush in summer. It's a wonderful wine, pleasurable, complex, poised and rounding out with a delicious delivery of ductile Cabernet tannin. Ripper. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
96 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (Jul 2024)
A large-framed wine defined by a serendipitous ripening season and skilled craftsmanship. The tannins, perfectly managed and refined. The oak, so enticing and appealing. The sheer density of currant, sage, black olive, rosemary and thyme, an immaculate forcefield. This is one for the cellar. An Australian wine that tastes, as it always has, as if it was made by an American with a deep comprehension of tannin management. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
95 points, James Suckling (Jul 2023)
A large-framed wine defined by a serendipitous ripening season and skilled craftsmanship. The tannins, impeccably managed and refined. The oak, all sex appeal. The sheer density of currant, sage, black olive, rosemary and thyme, an immaculate forcefield. This is built for the cellar. An Australian wine that tastes, as it always has, as if it was made by an American with a deep comprehension of tannin management.
95 points, Ned Goodwin, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2023)
Supple black cherry and blood plum lead, the tobacco and mocha-toast barrel influence creeping in behind. It's a powerful wine with a taut line of muscular, dusty tannins currently dominating. Give this time in bottle though, and it should evolve with grace and beauty. Drink 2026—2041.
94 points, Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2024)
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