Bowen Estate 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon March 05

I have seen very mixed reports over the Bowen label for the last few years; but whilst decanting this wine, as the pristine fruit aromas bounded out of the bottle, it was easy to understand the positive reports. Even after only a few minutes in the glass, although the wine was brooding; it was classy and unmistakably Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, this wine is just as impressive. Pure, clean fruit combines with unobtrusive tannins to produce a harmonious, supremely balanced, beautifully integrated wine. Blackcurrant, milk chocolate, plum, hints of coffee, together with cigar box and tomato leaf characters provide a refined complexity. Rated as Highly Recommended with room for improvement, as the wine gains added complexity with age.