The predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (74% of the blend) 2005 Magna Praemia is a deep garnet color and puts forward an earthy nose with an aromatic core of dried berries and meat plus some kirsch, sandalwood and cedar. With medium to full body and great concentration on the palate, it is showing nice bottle evolution with the quite lively acid and a medium level of grainy tannins holding it through a long finish. This is the first vintage of this wine. It is drinking nicely now and should keep to 2018+. Ex-pat Americans Ann and Michael Spratt established this boutique winery and vineyard with the pursuit of making Bordeaux varietal reds of the highest caliber. Their son, Sean, has since joined their journey as the winemaker along with the consultancy of Luc Desbonnets. Located right on the edge of the southern coast, yet angled on a north-facing slope well sheltered from the ocean winds, the relatively young vines indeed appear poised for greatness and the first releases confirm that the Spratt’s are onto something special. Ann Spratt, with a degree in microbiology and biochemistry, post-graduate studies at UC Davis in viticulture and enology under her belt and having a Masters degree in Wine Sciences from Auckland University, is well placed and certainly at home in the winery, backing up viticultural and winemaking techniques with original and important research. While the prices of these wines have been aspirational from the outset, the hard graft and uncompromising approach that goes on behind the labels certainly goes some way to justifying the hefty price tags. Imported by Destiny Bay Wine Imports LLC.