2022 Wirra Wirra The Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon

95 POINTS

Ray Jordan - Winepilot

Sourced from two sites and made in a similar fashion to Wirra’s other flagship reds, open fermentation, a small inclusion of whole bunches, extended skin contact, basket pressing, and maturation in French oak (23% new). Strong blackcurrant and spicy plum aromas lead the way, with hints of dark chocolate and minerally oyster-shell characters announcing this as Cabernet. A sinewy thread of tannin gives structure and purpose, and the oak is perfectly weighted.

94 POINTS

Tom Kline - Winepilot

Enticing from the outset, with aromas that are both restrained and immediately complex. Bay leaf, blackcurrant pastille, fine cedar, milk chocolate, dried herbs and tilled earth rise from the glass, supported by whispers of graphite and black olive. The palate is elegant, with a subtly creamy texture. Milk chocolate, blackcurrant, mint and cedar glide through the mouth before fine-boned, grainy tannins and mint-flecked acidity pull the wine linear and long. There’s real class here — a McLaren Vale Cabernet of restraint and poise that will go the distance in the cellar. Nicely done.

94 POINTS

Marcus Ellis - Halliday Wine Companion

Another cool year, with a couple more to follow. This opens with a classic herbal overlay of hedgerow, dried sage and green pepper over tart blackcurrant, redcurrant, damson and mulberry. There’s also tobacco leaf, black tea, cedar and currant. It’s coiled now, tightly wound, the nexus of tannin and acidity cinching all in. This promises to be a fine, medium-weight ‘claret’ style that should age well, and it should be showing that potential better on release.

94 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

The second best red variety in Mclaren Vale, after grenache, is cabernet. This release is firm, solid and fruit-driven but, even so, carries a serious, savoury, saline edge. It’s a beauty, and will cellar like a charm. It smells and tastes of blackberry, saltbush, vanilla-cream, blueberries and bay leaves, with earth and ozone notes tucked within. Tannin is a particular highlight here: ultra fine, and yet assertive, and yet beautifully integrated. At three years of age this is pup, and arguably still finding its feet, but its quality destination is clear.