St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Coonawarra, SA)
14.2%, Screwcap, $40

St Hugo is back.

Now with a new winery in the Barossa and with Jacobs Creek no longer on the front label, this grand old Coonawarra name seems much more settled and real. Plenty of work happening behind the scenes too. All very promising.

This is a classic St Hugo too. There’s some of that wonderful cedar varietal character you want to see in Coonawarra Cab, along with sweet and formic vanilla oak. The palate is a bit generous and large and forward, but the power and grainy tannins signal that this is built for the long haul.

Not a subtle wine by any means, the acidity firm, the oak bold, the tannins dry. Still, this will live for an absolute age and look pretty handy in 10-15 years time. For St Hugo fans it’s a no-brainer.

Source: Sample
Tasted: March 2014
Drink: 2014-2024+
Score: 18/20, 93/100
Would I buy it? I’d buy a bottle and forget about it. Will be rewarding in a decade.
Buy online: Dan Murphys, St Hugos website