Freemark Abbey® Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard 2018 750ml – 7805784326374

The nose opens with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black current and boysenberry. The fruit elements are complemented with forest floor notes, cigar box, dark chocolate and espresso. The wine is rich and balanced, and French oak barrels add the ideal amount of complexity with notes of baking spice and warm vanilla. This is a full-bodied wine with integrated tannins that give it a long, lingering finish. Stunning.

97 Points – James Suckling

Mint, spearmint, darkberry and blueberry aromas. Leaves and sage, too. Full-bodied and firm with fantastic depth. Cool fruit with menthol and mint. Spice. Refreshing. Firm tannins. Fantastic 2017. Drink or hold.

96 Points – Vinous

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore is dense and authoritative. Sycamore is a bit warmer and less vigorous than Bosché. The site naturally yields smaller berries that produce a Cabernet endowed with tons of sumptuousness, breadth and power. Ripe red cherry, plum, licorice, menthol, spice, graphite and dried herbs infuse the Sycamore with tremendous complexity. It is such a gorgeous and complete wine.

95 Points – Wine Enthusiast

This deeply coloured Cabernet sees small additions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is soft and supple, with red fruit at its core. A mix of cherry and currant play well against the savoury components and graceful structure.

94 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyards was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 74% new. Deep garnet-purple coloured, the nose features compelling notions of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and boysenberries with suggestions of black olives, fragrant earth and fallen leaves plus a waft of Indian spices. Medium to full-bodied, taut, muscular and packed with black fruit layers, it has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins, delivering a long, refreshing finish.