Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Broadside source this Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, the warm inland district of California's Central Coast. The region sits behind the Santa Lucia range, where afternoon heat ripens Cabernet fully while marine air from the Pacific drops night temperatures sharply. That wide diurnal swing lets sugars climb without losing the acidity that keeps the wine fresh, and the calcareous, limestone-influenced soils add a firm tannic spine. The wine is farmed under sustainable practices and aged eighteen months in French oak barrels. Slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the grape tannins and rounds the texture, while the wood contributes vanilla, baking spice and a toasted cedar note that frames the fruit rather than covering it. The colour is deep and opaque. The nose leads with ripe blackcurrant and dark plum, backed by cocoa, tobacco leaf and sweet oak spice. On the palate it is full bodied and structured, with grippy but ripe tannins, red and black fruit and a long savoury finish carrying pepper and dark chocolate. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits grilled red meat, roast lamb and aged hard cheese.