Made with what Murray Barlow calls a `late ripening clone from a late ripening site`, Peter Barlow was picked on April 23rd in 2022 - a record for the vineyard. Dense, serious and built to age in bottle, this is a plush, layered, textured Cabernet Sauvignon with plum, cassis and bramble fruit, elegant 65% new wood, granular tannins and a mineral-etched finish. 95 points

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Barlow comes from a parcel on the mountainous foothills that is not vinified every year (it was not made in 2016 because of fire, nor in 2014/2023 due to wet conditions.) It matured for 20 months in two-thirds new French oak. Presenting a slightly lusher bouquet than the John X Merriman, it leans toward higher-toned red fruit, commingling with fennel and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins that frame the lightly spiced fruit notes. Perhaps more refined than the 2021, this lingers nicely in the mouth - quite Medoc-like on the finish. This is worth seeking out, and it’s a good value to boot. 92 points