2018 Macdonald, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 1x750ml

Vinous 97+

The 2018 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon is positively stellar. Crème de cassis, blueberry, lavender, graphite, spice, sage and licorice all open effortlessly in the glass. At this stage, the 2018 reminds me of the 2012 in its mid-weight structure, but with darker fruit and a more somber personality. Like the 2012 has, I expect the 2018 will flesh out in the middle over the next handful of years. It is a super-impressive wine with a bright, bright future that only slightly misses the thrilling heights of some previous editions. Then again, brothers Graeme and Alex MacDonald have set a very high bar since they started bottling their wine a little more than a decade ago. [Antonio Galloni, 03/04/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2026-2043