When first tasted last year, the 1999 Clarendon Cabernet Sauvignon was a robust youth, bursting with potential. A year later and that potential is starting to be realized. The color is a deep, rich Blackboy Rose red, still with a hint of purple on the edges. The nose is clean and true to variety, with the benefits of bottle maturation showing in a blending of the various elements.

Clarendon is still classified as a cool climate area, and one would expect an austere and subtle wine, but the 1999 Cabernet has a wonderful depth of rich fruit flavor, full of minty black currant, and a subtle touch of oak that allows the cabernet character to dominate. These flavors continue right through the palate, and finish with a lovely balance of soft acid and firm tannin.

Our prediction on first tasting this wine last year was right. This is destined to be a great Clarendon Cabernet.