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April/May
2008
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Wine Review
Archive -
Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
($13). Youthful, even underripe, with
racy blackberry and tangy plum flavors
and toasted herb accents. Needs food --
something like a mixed grill would work.
Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 12/04)
($25). This Australian Cab is dense and
aromatic, with rich blackberry and plum
flavors balanced with mint, smoke and
warm spices that mingle on the long finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next four
or five years. (Weekend Wine 02/06)
($14). Easy to drink
and enjoy, this wine exhibits bright red
cherry and wild berry flavors, with nice
earthy notes. Ready to drink now. Versatile
with food. (Robyn's Picks, 01/01)
($8). Simple but tasty, with a fresh
bouquet and sweet red cherry and berry
flavors alongside vanilla and toasty
oak. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine
02/05)
($8). A bargain basement price on a
totally workable Cabernet -- medium-bodied,
with black cherry and berry fruit that
shows decent concentration, and spicy,
minty accents. Ready to drink now. (Weekend
Wine 01/05)
($15).
Jammy black cherry, plum and spice aromas
and flavors, with sweet vanilla and creamy
accents. Ripe, full finish. Ready to drink
now. (Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($8). Slurpably good,
with smooth red cherry and berry flavors
accented with a pleasing array of baking
spices and toasty oak. Ready to drink
now. (Weekend Wine 01/05)
($8). Fruity, very subtle hints of herbal
and spice notes, light to medium bodied,
minimal pesky tannins to slow you down.
Tasted remarkably similar to the Merlot
and the Shiraz. We're fairly sure that
at some point during the evening, it all
became more of a Black Swan Red Cuvee
-- with Shiraz splashed into a Merlot
glass here, and a "which one of these
was mine?" there. One way or another,
they were all polished off with the greatest
of ease. Any, all, or a combination of
them would make a great red wine choice
for a big crowd! (Weekend Wine, 08/03)
($13).
Moderate spice and wet earth on the
bouquet. A little thin up front, with
richer ripe fruit and spice flavors
kicking in on the finish along with
green herbal notes. Not crazy about
this one. (Bargain Wine, 10/03)
($30). Intriguing mix of reserve and ripeness,
with concentrated blackberry and black
cherry fruit along with integrated layers
of warm spices, tobacco, and black tea.
This is the one I kept going back to --
will be interested to see how it develops
in the bottle! Ready to drink now and
over the next four or five years. (Weekend
Wine, 04/04)
($25). Nicely integrated
layers of supple blackberry, black cherry,
mocha, espresso, and cedar combine to
make an elegant wine. Good finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next three or
four years. (Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($75). Intense blackberry
and fleshy black plum fruit are accented
with cigar box aromas and cedar and vanillin
oak flavors. Long, elegant finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next seven or
eight years. (Weekend Wine 07/05)
($17). This new Australian Cab is full
of ripe, juicy red berry and plum flavors,
with nicely integrated spicy oak and a
smooth, lipsmacking finish. This is a
wine that keeps you coming back for more!
Ready to drink now and over the next couple
of years. (Weekend Wine 08/06)
($65). Very
good, with juicy blackberry, blueberry
and plum laced with smoke, mocha, vanilla,
tobacco and earth. Nicely integrated
oak supports the full bodied flavors.
Long, generous finish. Tempting now
and over the next ten-plus years. (Weekend
Wine 07/05)
($65). Excellent,
with beautiful structure supporting
concentrated black currant and berry
flavors, picking up eucalyptus and sweet
spices on the long finish. Ready to
drink now and over the next five or
six years. (World Wide Wine 04/05)
($19). Lovely floral scented
sweet blackberry and plum fruit, layered
with a dash of eucalyptus, anise, smoky
oak and vanilla bean. Firm, tangy finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (Weekend Wine, 10/04)
($12). Vibrant scarlet
color, with bramble-scented red cherry
and currant fruit and a generous dash
of spicy accents. Packs a taste and tannic
structure punch - particularly at this
price! Ready to drink now. (World Wide
Wine 01/05)
($30). Loved this wine - an outstanding
Cabernet in a sea of exemplary Yarra Valley
Pinots, this one offers amped up toasty
oak character supporting the velvety currant
and cassis fruit, eucalyptus and smooth
vanilla flavors. Long, generous finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (World Wide Wine 01/05)
($36). Wonderful blend of flavors featuring
black cherry, currant, and plum with touches
of anise and earthiness. Eminently slurpable
with a great lingering finish. Ready now
and over the next five years. (Robyn's
Picks, 11/00)
($22). A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon
(70%), Petite Verdot (25%) and Merlot,
this is a well-built wine offering concentrated
red cherry and berry fruit with nicely
integrated toasty oak, spice and sage
accents. Ready to drink now and over
the next four or five years. (World
Wide Wine 04/05)
($18).
A lot of wine for under $20, this supple
Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Petit Verdot is spicy and rich,
showing loads of red berry and cherry,
swirls of milk chocolate, and a subtle
herbal note. Medium-bodied, with a tannic
structure that should allow graceful aging.
Very good now and over the next three
or four years. (Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($15). Lots of cedar
and cigar box lace ripe black cherry
and black currant flavors, with a warm,
toasty finish. Ready to drink now and
over next couple of years. Nice value.
(Winery Spotlight 10/05)
($15). Really liked this wine!
Mint and intense red fruit aromas make
an appealing bouquet, and a zing of acidity
introduces concentrated red cherry flavors.
Finishes with a burst of strawberry and
black pepper. Ready to drink now and over
the next couple of years. Very good value!
(Weekend Wine 01/05)
($16). Smooth, medium-bodied, with
pretty cherry and plum fruit gently
accented with mint, smoke and oak.
Nice length. Easy to enjoy and pair
with food. Ready to drink now and
over the next couple of years. (Richard's
Picks, 12/03)
($15)
-- Black cherry and ripe plum are showcased
here, with touches of oak and eucalyptus.
Firm tannins and a sophisticated finish
complete this very good package. Good
now and will be even better over the
next six or seven years. Great value.
(Weekend Wine, 11/00)
($N/A). A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon,
20% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, this
is a big wine. Massive tannins definitely
need some time. Concentrated red fruits
including cherry and currant, with a bit
of rose petal and oak. Give this wine
at least two or three years to smooth
out, then enjoy! (Robyn's Picks)
($20). Berry and dark plum fruit, with
a roundness and balance that make this
a pleasure to drink. Good concentrated
flavor and tannins. Good now and over
the next few years. (Robyn's Picks, 01/01)
($22). A plush,
polished Cabernet at a heck of a price,
offering deep blackberry, currant and
plum fruit laced with toasty vanillin
oak, warm spices, and a smooth, long finish.
As much as I liked all the others, this
one may have been my favorite for its
classic Cab character -- a study in balance.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (Weekend Wine 04/06)
($9). Simple red cherry
aromas and flavors, picking up a little
spice and milk chocolate on the moderate
finish. Easy and ready to drink now.
(Robyn's Picks 10/04)
($13). Full bodied and ripe, with concentrated
black currant fruit, chocolate, mint
and vanillan oak. Slightly over the
top ripe and lacking in balance. Ready
to drink now and over the next year
or two. (Richard's Picks, 04/05)
($10). Smooth, supple, easy-drinking,
with ripe cherry and plum fruit with smoky
oak, rosemary and vanilla accents that
linger on the finish. Quite tasty. (Bargain
Wine, 04/03)
($19). Classic Cabernet flavors of red
cherry and berry, with mocha and spice
notes, all balanced on a nice oak frame.
Good acidity. Ready to drink now. (Robyn's
Picks, 01/01)
($15). Ripe and jammy, but still offering
a nice degree of balance, with concentrated
black currant fruit layered with vanilla
bean, spice and light herbal notes.
Generous finish. Ready to drink now.
(Weekend Wine, 10/04)
($15). Ripe and rich, with red cherry
and berry fruit layered with spicy oak,
nutmeg, and earthy notes. Turns jammy
on the finish. Plenty of tannic structure
supports the ripe fruit. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(Robyn's Picks, 04/03)
($19). Earthy, meaty bouquet
introduces rich red berry and cherry fruit,
with herbal and spicy oak accents. Chewy
tannins. Ready to drink now and over the
next four or five years. (Weekend Wine,
06/03)
($45). An elegant
style, with delicate lead pencil aromas
accenting the sleek blackberry, plum and
currant flavors. Picks up smoke and spices
along the way, but stays focused on fruit.
Shows some grip on the finish. Ready to
drink now and over the next six or seven
years. (Weekend Wine 07/06)
($10). Appealing blackberry
and currant fruit is juicy and fresh,
with an edge of tartness, picking up
mint, vanilla and toasty oak notes through
the focused finish. Quite nice, particularly
at this price. A good match for grilled
meats and poultry. Ready to drink now.
(Bargain Wine 04/05)
($6.99).
When it comes to Cabernet, I have been
somewhat spoiled by the esteemed Richard
Tinsley. He has, for better or worse,
introduced me to some of the best (and
most expensive) Cabernets I've ever had
the pleasure of tossing down my gullet.
And being so spoiled, I approach less
expensive Cabernets with a degree of trepidation.
Nevertheless, I am happy to report that
the Lindemans Cabernet passed muster (and
for heaven's sake it was only $6.99!).
It was a sound red wine with some cherry
and coffee notes that would have gone
really well with a big juicy burger and
a mess of fries, but, alas, there was
only a head of lettuce and soy cheese
in the fridge. (ETFOFW, 12/99)
($12). Smooth
and medium-bodied, but showing good
concentration of black cherry and berry
fruit and touches of mint and spice.
Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine, 08/03)
($25). Deep black fruit bouquet introduces
a complex array of flavors, including
cassis, plum, dark chocolate, mint, black
pepper and vanillin oak. Ready to drink
now and over the next four or five years.
(Weekend Wine, 06/03)
($145).
More dense than the relatively light
2000 vintage, this one offers more ripe
fruit, but never gets anywhere near
jammy or overblown. Blackberry and plum
fruit are focused through the lengthy
finish, picking up layers of baking
spices, toast, fresh pepper and mocha.
Smooth, velvety mouthfeel masks tightly
wound structure beneath. Delicious now
and over the next six or seven years
and beyond. (Weekend Wine 01/07)
($145). Lithe
and elegant, with pretty red fruit laced
with touches of cocoa, clove, black pepper
and aromatic vanilla. Still showing some
acidity on the finish; should continue
to drink well for three or four years.
(Weekend Wine 01/07)
($45). Great structure -- this age-worthy
wine offers rich blackberry and currant
fruit laced with spicy oak and a touch
of funky game character. A blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon and Shiraz. Ready to drink now
and over the next seven or eight years.
(World Wide Wine 04/05)
($12).
Juicy blackberry fruit picks up a bit
of jammy character through the finish,
along with a kick of black pepper and
toasty oak. Ready to drink now and over
the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine
12/07)
($28). One of Penfolds' most
celebrated Bin wines, the 389 was introduced
in 1960 by legendary chief winemaker
Max Schubert. This 2004 vintage is supple
and seductive, offering plush black
cherry and plum flavors laced with aromatic
anise, sweet tobacco and pepper notes
-- all supported by concentrated, but
smooth, tannins. Delicious now and over
the next eight to ten years. (Weekend
Wine 07/07)
($26). Medium-bodied
and food friendly, with black currant
and blackberry fruit accented with espresso
and cocoa that linger on the finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next
four or five years. (Weekend Wine 07/07)
($80). A stunning wine --
deep and concentrated, with black plum
and black cherry fruit layered with
aromatic bittersweet chocolate, cedar
and freshly ground black pepper. Picks
up a meaty, black olive note mid-palate,
then finishes long and voluptuously
smooth. So tempting now (but needs decanting!)
and over the next ten or fifteen years.
(Weekend Wine 10/05)
($80). Dense and ripe, with
extracted blackberry and cherry fruit
layered with anise, sweet tobacco, and
bourbon notes. Long, evolving finish begs
for another sip. Tempting now, but probably
best in about three years. Then drink
for another ten-plus. (Splurge Wine 10/04)
($20). Concentrated currant and blackberry
fruit is accented with aromatic herbal
and cedar notes, with plenty of grip
on the finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next four or five years. (Splurge
Wine 02/08)
($25). The bright ruby red color is just
the beginning of this wonderful wine.
Fresh and lively berry aromas herald the
generous fruit flavors that include red
currant and blackberry, with accents of
mint and vanilla oak. Velvety and a pleasure
to drink now and over the next three years.
(Robyn's Picks, 01/01)
($16). A blend
of Shiraz (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon
(41%) and Merlot (17%). Rich mocha and
chocolate aromas introduce deep black
cherry and blackberry flavors, with
nicely integrated mint and spice accents
that emerge on the focused finish. Ready
to drink now (with perhaps a little
breathing time!) and over the next seven
or eight years. (Weekend Wine 12/05)
($16).
Excellent balance (and value!) here, with
a velvety mix of berry and black currant
flavors laced with rich spices and toasty
oak that linger on a subtle but complex
finish. Ready to drink now and over the
next four or five years. (Weekend Wine
12/05)
($23). Nice Cab at a good
price from 35-year-old vines, offering
big, concentrated red cherry and berry
flavors accented with generous spicy oak
and a touch of earth. Long finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next four or
five years. (World Wide Wine 04/05)
($13). Showed some nice structure and
focus at this price point, with pretty
red berry flavors, spice and toasty oak.
Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 09/06)
($7).
The Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet is a consistently
tasty blend. The plummy, black currant,
and spicy characteristics of the shiraz
meld with the black cherry and berry fruit
of the cab to create a particularly juicy
wine. Beautiful color. This would be great
with barbeque – thrown on the barbie
or otherwise. (ETFOFW, 04/01)
($7). Smooth red cherry
and blackberry pie flavors, with respectable
concentration, minty accents, and a long
finish. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wine,
12/03)
($20). Jammy cassis bouquet leads to full-bodied
black currant and berry fruit, cinnamon,
allspice, and a generous, lingering finish
that picks up an herbaceous minty note.
Delicious. Ready to drink now and over
the next three years. (Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($22). Ripe and full-bodied,
with concentrated red fruit, nicely balanced
oak, and a soft, lingering finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next three or
four years. (Robyn's Picks, 02/01)
($25). Concentrated black currant and
cherry flavors are laced with aromatic
spice and toasty oak, along with subtle
floral notes. Needs a bit of time to soften
and broaden. Drink from 2005-2010. (Weekend
Wine, 10/04)
($18). Voluptuous spicy plum and blackberry
flavors stay ripe and fleshy through the
long finish, picking up sweet tobacco
and toasty oak along the way. Easy to
like, and a great value. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(Weekend Wine 08/06)
($20). Smooth and seductive, offering
lush black fruit on a medium-bodied frame.
Cinnamon, clove, milk chocolate, and vanilla
extract mingle on the generous finish.
Ready to drink now and over the next three
or four years. (Weekend Wine, 03/03)
($16). Always a fun, tasty wine, this
vintage offers firm blackberry and plum
fruit layered with smoky oak and smooth,
warm spices. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Shiraz and Merlot. Ready to drink now
and over the next four or five years.
(World Wide Wine 04/05)
($32). Concentrated red
plum and berry fruit is laced with bright
mint notes, as well as touches of baking
spices and dusty, bittersweet chocolate.
Moderate finish. Ready to drink now
and over the next two or three years.
(Weekend Wine 03/08)
($32). Appealingly understated
and elegant, with subtle eucalyptus
aromas accenting smooth red berry fruit,
mint and subtle spicy oak. Generous,
smooth finish. Ready to drink now and
over the next two or three years. (Weekend
Wine 04/05)
($24). Very nice Cab at a reasonable price,
offering rich black currant, plum, chocolate
and earthy, herbal aromas and flavors
-- all balanced on fine, integrated tannins
and finishing with toasty oak. Very good
now and over the next two or three years.
(Weekend Wine 04/05)
($12). Ripe, juicy plum and
blueberry flavors on soft, smooth tannins,
finishing with a touch of toasty, vanillin
oak. Easy and appealing. Ready to drink
now and over the next couple of years.
(Weekend Wine 04/05)
($19). Intense, aromatic
and concentrated, with ripe black cherry
and currant fruit laced with sweet vanilla,
nutmeg and toasty oak. Long, lipsmacking
finish. Excellent value. Ready to drink
now and over the next five or six years.
(Weekend Wine 12/05)
($62). Quite
stylish, with a rich, velvety chocolate
note that runs through the voluptuous
finish and accents red currant and cherry
fruit, anise and toasty oak. Soft supple
tannins support a generous finish. Ready
to drink now and over the next ten years.
(Weekend Wine 04/05)
($10). Nice bang
for the buck here, with juicy red cherry
and red plum fruit on a nicely concentrated
frame that includes leather and clove
accents, finishing with toasty oak. Ready
to drink now. (Bargain Wine 04/05)
($50). This vintage spent 20 months in
new French oak and has the tannic structure
to show for it. It is almost inky in color,
and has a rich smooth mouthfeel. Ripe
plum and blackberry fruit are accented
with mint and tobacco. Ready to drink
now, but will improve with an additional
four or five years of cellaring. (Splurge
Wine, 08/01)
($18). Smooth and enjoyable, with black
cherry and plum fruit laced with smoke
and licorice and vanillin oak. Ready to
drink now. (Weekend Wine, 01/04)
($15). Ripe and concentrated,
with waves of jammy red berry and cherry
fruit accented with cedar, sweet tobacco
and chocolate notes. A mouthful of flavor
at a bargain price. Ready to drink now
and over the next two or three years.
(Weekend Wine 10/05)
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