The (slightly) sharp Juniper Three Fields Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Tasting young Cabernet on release is occasionally unfun, with tannins working against drinkability (and costing Cabernet some fans for sure). This Juniper Three Fields Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is a great example – it’s super ambitious for a $32 red but angular. Sourced from the 1971 Juniper Estate plantings in Margaret River, with the blend including 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc. It’s a firm, drying red of dry extract and structure – a bit bitter, a bit huffy and grumpy, but there’s power in all the angles. A red for the future, but all angles now.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: later. Give it five years
• Score (out of 20): 17
• Score (out of 100): 90
• Alcohol %: 14
• RRP (in $AUD): 32
• Winery website: https://www.juniperestate.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: just a glass