The 2019 Stone Eagle is a masterful red blend of great finesse. It is a carefully crafted combination of three red grapes, combined in perfect proportion to present the vintage in an exceptional way. The individual wines are aged for 3 full years in new oak barriques, predominantly French, before blending. The resulting wine is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc. The elegance of the blend is immediately evident on the nose. The enticing complexities of each variety show through in the assemblage yet are deliciously integrated. Ripe dark fruits dominate, punctuated by layers of earthiness and subtle sweet spice. Blackberries and black currants, leather, tobacco and dried tea leaves combine to insist on further exploration. The palate delivers extraordinary balance, as the acidity, tannin and alcohol envelope the flavours. The fruitiness remains prominent, and the subtleties of the wine continue to surface through a lingering finish. The flavour of American oak also surfaces here, as vanilla and baking spice. Hints of herbaceousness, tobacco leaf, black licorice, dark chocolate and red peppercorn give this wine a memorable savory character.
