The 2007 vintage in Coonawarra was exceptional, producing wines with remarkable concentration and structure that have aged beautifully. This St Hugo release demonstrates the vintage's hallmark balance of power and elegance, with nearly two decades allowing the wine's complex layers to integrate whilst maintaining vibrant acidity. The fact it's earned 95 points from Bob Campbell and museum release status speaks to 2007's reputation as one of Coonawarra's standout years for premium Cabernet Sauvignon.

Coonawarra's famous terra rossa soil - a thin strip of red clay over limestone - creates perfect drainage whilst retaining essential nutrients for Cabernet Sauvignon. The region's cool maritime climate ensures slow, even ripening that develops the variety's signature cassis and mint characters whilst preserving natural acidity. This St Hugo showcases these regional hallmarks beautifully, with its concentrated black fruit, distinctive spearmint lift, and structured tannins that reflect Coonawarra's unique terroir.

Decant this wine 1-2 hours before serving to allow its complex aromatics to fully express themselves after nearly two decades in bottle. Serve at 16-18°C to showcase both its rich fruit concentration and savoury complexity. The wine's full-bodied structure and fine tannins make it perfect for pairing with rich red meats, aged cheeses, or hearty winter dishes that can match its intensity and depth.

After 17 years of bottle age, this wine has developed beautiful tertiary characters whilst retaining its primary fruit intensity. The initial blackberry and cassis have evolved into more complex mulberry and concentrated dark fruit, while oak integration has softened to reveal vanilla and spice nuances. The distinctive spearmint and capsicum notes showcase Cabernet's varietal character, whilst emerging tobacco and savoury elements add sophisticated complexity that only comes with proper cellaring.

This wine is drinking magnificently now, having reached a beautiful stage where primary fruit, oak, and bottle-age characters are perfectly integrated. The description notes it still maintains excellent structure and acidity despite nearly two decades of age, suggesting it has many more years of drinking pleasure ahead. However, given its current harmony and the emergence of those lovely savoury, tobacco-like characters, there's no need to wait - it's at a perfect drinking window for those who appreciate mature Cabernet complexity.