Pedestal Vintage Select

The 2020 Pedestal Vintage Select is brooding with a hauntingly dark, backward bouquet of dried blueberries, sage, cedary spice and gravel dust. It sweeps across the palate with grace, silken yet poised, with mineral-inflected red and blue fruits that saturate. A core of brisk acidity guides things along. The 2020 leaves a wall of edgy tannins on the finish, tapering off long and chewy with a hint of salted licorice that lingers on and on. This is a beast in need of extensive cellaring.

I like the chopped-herb aromatics here, mingling with plum and black currant fruit. Then tobacco and mocha come into play. It's medium to full-bodied, firm and structured, with a broad tannin frame.

The 2020 Pedestal Vintage Select is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot matured for 22 months in 70% new French oak. It has gregarious aromas of powdered sugar, black cherry candy, dried blackcurrants and floral perfume. The full-bodied palate is ripe and dense with firm, chalky tannins and a slightly warm finish. Pair it with grilled meats over the next 3-5 years.