An absolutely cracking McLaren Vale Cab. Who says warm regions can’t do Cabernet? Sure, it might not be a Bordeaux replica, but it is delicious and drinks majestically. The name? Just like Frank Serpico did in attempting to expose corruption in the NYPD in the early 70s, this wine goes against the grain, as an Apassimento style Cabernet. For that, the fruit went into 10-kilo drying crates and was stored for 25 days, over this period, the grapes lost 30% of their weight. This had the effect of concentrating aromas and softening the tannins with the wine spending two years in a combination of French oak hogsheads, 60% new and 40% one-year-old. The 2020 Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon was made without finings and received only light filtration prior to bottling. Deep red/maroon, this has an appealing ripeness with notes of chocolate, cigar boxes, mocha, coffee beans and a hint of vanilla. The structure is seamless with juicy acidity and excellent length. Utterly delicious, this is more a cracking McLaren Vale red than the typically varietal Cabernet. Ten to twelve years.