This has wonderful dark, bittersweet chocolate accents to the cassis and wild blackberry flavors, with dashes of dried sage, tarragon, star anise and cardamom. Reveals wonderfully rich, thick tannins on the finish. Drink now. 2,500 cases made, 400 cases imported.??–MW??Region: Australia / Western Australia / Margaret River Select to Add

Blended of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Merlot and 7.5% Cabernet Franc, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was matured in French oak barrels (50% new and 50% 1 year-old) for 15 months. Deep garnet-purple colored, it is profoundly scented of warm blackberries and mulberries interlaced with cinnamon stick, cumin seed, sandalwood and cloves plus touches of cedar and pot-pourri. Medium bodied, elegant and nicely balanced, it has medium-high acid and a medium-firm level of grainy tannins, finishing long with lingering notes of cinnamon and cloves. Drinking now, it should cellar to 2018.Bob Cartwright, chief winemaker for many years at Leeuwin Estate, moved over to this small, quality driven estate around 5 years ago. These wines bear the hallmarks of his undeniable talent for getting the land to speak through the wines. All the wines are made from single vineyard estate vines planted in 1997. This is a property to watch.Thompson Estate does not currently have a USA importer.

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is more noticeably oaky with aromas of cassis, black currants, and blackberry. On the palate there is ample ripe fruit and a firm structure suggesting that another 5-6 years in bottle would be beneficial. Drink it through 2023.Importer: Joe Uvino, Vino Tech LLC, Tel. (908) 303-0409; www.thompsonestate.com