Posted: November 30, 2021
Priced right, this blend of cabernet sauvignon (86%) and merlot (14%) was partly barrel-aged. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with good depth of blackcurrant, herb and spice flavours, and a well-rounded finish. $16
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very youthful, ageworthy red was grown at two sites and matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is fresh and full-bodied, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, a herbal thread, and good concentration. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Maturing very gracefully, this full-bodied red was hand-harvested from 21-year-old vines in the Mere Road Vineyard. Full-coloured, it is fleshy, with concentrated, vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, and a smooth, harmonious finish. Best drinking 2022+….
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very ageworthy, harmonious red was grown mostly in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 18 months in French (principally) and Hungarian oak barrels (30% new). Dark and youthful, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated blackcurrant,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This is a great buy. From two sites in the Gimblett Gravels, it was matured for a year in French oak casks (25% new). Deeply coloured, with a fragrant bouquet, it is full-bodied, with generous, ripe flavours of blackcurrants and…
Comments Off on Mission Barrique Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Licorice-like maturity on the nose and great length of vibrant cassis/anise flavours on the juicy palate. Good drinking now.
Comments Off on Zema Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely lifted, complex and mature aromas. Great palate bright with blackberry/cassis fruit and cola notes.
Comments Off on GPL68 by Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A very stylish and elegant varietal bouquet. The palate is still fresh and only just starting to show some maturity with excellent oak integration and slightly grippy tannins.
Comments Off on Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Bright cherry bouquet with lovely oak complexity. Excellent persistence of quality red and blue fruit flavours integrated with a mocha-like oak and a tight tannin spine.
Comments Off on Leconfield The Sydney Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Blackberry bouquet with a malty note and a tight bright cassis palate with good tannins and obvious oak.
Comments Off on Leconfield Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Another classic Coonawarra cabernet that’s big, bright and youthful with super intensity and persistence of spicy cassis fruit characters and excellent tannins in support.
Comments Off on Rymill Riddoch Run Block 6 Single Vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A lovely classic deep crimson Coonawarra cabernet with cassis fruit fragrances perfectly balanced by the cedary oak and a tight, zesty and lively blue and dark fruit filled palate.
Comments Off on Rymill Sandstone Single Vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A youthful, deep red, somewhat tannic wine with great intensity of rich sweet blue fruits, persistent tannins and some lovely chocolaty characters.
Comments Off on Lindeman’s Trio St George Vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A classic ripe and youthful cabernet with black olive-like fruit characters and lots of tannins.
Comments Off on Hay Shed Hill Block 2 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Herbaceous fruit fragrances and a classy mature cooler climate minty fruit palate with greenish tannins.
Comments Off on Hay Shed Hill Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A dense concentrated classy wine with nose showing attractive secondary development. Juicy in the mouth with cassis fruit, spicy cedary oak and ripe tannins.
Comments Off on Kerrigan + Berry Margaret River & Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Leathery cedary development on the nose. Palate still has loads of life. “So fresh, so sassy!” enthused one judge. Great length and intensity of cassis and anise-like flavours.
Comments Off on Wild Game ‘The Duke’ Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A classic cabernet in the herbaceous spectrum with nice drying tannins.
Comments Off on Briar Ridge Vineyard ‘Big Bully’ Limited Release Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Developed oaky aromas with a nicely evolving spicy chocolaty palate.
Comments Off on Koonara Wanderlust Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A smart complex style with “personality” and still showing meaty cassis varietal fruit with an abundance of tannins.
Comments Off on Leconfield ‘The Sydney’ Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A very classic minty cool climate style with some pleasant green stalky elements.
Comments Off on Hollick Estates Old Vines Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely varietal definition of black fruits and olives with black bean notes and silky tannins
Comments Off on Atkins Farm Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Beautifully fresh style with minty blackcurrant fruit, subtle nuances of oak, fine grained tannins and high acidity.
Comments Off on Renmark Vineyards Renmark Creek South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A super vibrant lifted cabernet with plum fruit verging on herbaceous, tobacco oak and long mouth-puckering tannins.
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Organic Reserve Orange Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Secondary black olive characters developing on the nose with a rich concentration of ripe dark fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Krondorf Founders View Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Red berries and black olives on the nose with youthful savoury fruit flavours and lovely oak.
Comments Off on Taylors Promised Land South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Vibrant purple wine. A powerful complexity of lifted chocolaty blueberry aromas and pure plum-like varietal fruit and sweet oak flavours with seamless integration of acid and tannins.
Comments Off on Grounded Cru Inc McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A dark brooding old school style with “mountainous” tannins. Needs years! 5
Comments Off on Grounded Cru Inc McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Very varietal and very regional and only just starting to show some development. Some good tannins.
Comments Off on Brand’s Laira Blockers Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Savoury blackcurrant fruit with some earthy elements and cola-like notes with fine grained tannins.
Comments Off on Zonte’s Footstep Blackberry Patch Fleurieu Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely varietal fruit density to the nose and palate with a great tannin structure.
Comments Off on The Tutor 570 Vines Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Very varietal; a tad green but a very interesting wine. Dense dark varietal fruits, some savoury nuances and minty-like esters with a long chocolaty finish.
Comments Off on James Busby Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A wine with old school charm and complexity and an abundance of dark fruits and chocolate.
Comments Off on Grandeur Wellington Gen 62 McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Nicely ageing wine with lifted leafy aromas. The cassis palate is still lively with fine assertive tannins.
Comments Off on Grandeur Wellington Bin 62 McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A fuller style of cabernet with good intensity and persistence of varietal fruit characters laced with soft supple tannins.
Comments Off on McCarthy’s Orchard My Coco Reserve McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A straightforward style, soft in the mouth with ripe red fruits and gravelly tannins.
Comments Off on McCarthy’s Orchard Lolly Legs McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Toasty oak aromas with hints of blackcurrants that is echoed on to the chewy tannic palate.
Comments Off on Bunnamagoo Estate Central Ranges Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Perfumed lift to the red and blue berry fruit aromas that is reflected on the long lingering palate with the fruit supported by good use of beautiful sweet oak.
Comments Off on Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa Tipsy Hill McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Described as a “tight sleeper,” by one judge. Subtle dark inky bouquet and wonderful length, intensity and vitality of blackcurrant fruit characters on the beautifully balanced palate. 5+
Comments Off on Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa Tipsy Hill McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Understated chocolaty nose with hints of ripe plums. The palate has both power and elegance with flavours of chocolate, plums and olives with tight polished tannins.
Comments Off on Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
“A great wine – very drinkable.” Has a gamey/meaty nose and lifted varietal fruit flavours with soft tannins and drying finish.
Comments Off on Bec Hardy Wines Pertaringa Regional Series Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
An oak driven style with slightly ripe fruit and complexing secondary notes developing. A good drink.
Comments Off on Clarence Hill Adelaide Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lively and fresh with intense cassis aromas and nuances of dark chocolate. Powerful full flavoured palate with ‘serious’ oak in balance with the fruit and fine assertive tannins.
Comments Off on Clarence Hill Reserve McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A riper style with slightly stewed sweet fruit characters, great oak, warming alcohol and fine tannins.
Comments Off on Boat O’Craigo Braveheart Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Brooding dark spicy fruit bouquet; loads of blackcurrants and Ribena-like characters. A very structured and “masculine” palate with dense blue fruit flavours and full-on tannins.
Comments Off on Bowen Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Mature spicy black currant aromas with a mouthful of sweet dark fruit and green olive flavours with obvious oak. Drink soon.
Comments Off on MW Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Great example of the variety – somewhat lean and a bit warm but has good concentration of cassis-like varietal characters with typical tomato bush elements.
Comments Off on Maygars Hill Strathbogie Ranges Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Some upfront seductive sweet oak here with red fruit characters underneath.
Comments Off on Patrick of Coonawarra Home Block Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A long, powerful and intense wine with lovely dark cherry and plum fruit characters and some very smart oak adding smoky/cedary complexity with very attractive tannins.
Comments Off on Brand & Sons Icon Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Minerally cool climate capsicum-like characters on the nose and a slightly green and herbaceous, but very good, palate.
Comments Off on Forester Estate Premium Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021