The Animo Vineyard is planted to 6ha of Cabernet Sauvignon vines on rocky, volcanic soils with red streaks of iron between 387 and 411m on Atlas Peak. Animo is the Italian word for 'soul'. The winemakers are Sabrina Massola and Rob Mondavi, Jr., and together, they have blended 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with 23% Merlot, which was aged up to 22 months in 40% new French oak. Deep ruby colour with impressive density and palate-arresting compact, fine-grained tannins layered with intensely chalky minerality. After a few seconds, those powerful Atlas Peak tannins give way to a rush of juicy, crunchy blackberry and black cherry fruits and warm baking spice notes. Quite a powerful and robust wine.

This big, complex, aromatic and concentrated wine has tons going for it. Alluring cedar shavings, graphite, cinnamon and cocoa fill the aroma while lush, deep blueberries, black cherries and dark chocolate fill the mouth with richness. Fine-grained tannins add great textural support without any astringency.