2006 Cardinham Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Clare Valley 13.9% Screwcap $20 Source- Sample

I’ve noticed my site is a bit light on when it comes to the Clare Valley, which is a shame.  Not intentional mind you, but perhaps somewhat revealing of the way the region is often “lost” in the Australian wine landscape outside of its excellent Riesling.

There are attractive briary elements to the fruit in this wine that, I think, play a large part in weaving together the other elements.  Cassis?  Check.  Menthol?  Check.  Tobacco?  Check.  But it’s the way the cassis and blackberries merge into mulberry and then join with a definite earthy, rustic/farmyard aspect that’s impressing me.  There are sweet, pretty fragrances of dark fruit and violets but there’s some serious character underneath that. The finishing notes of bitter chocolate, wood spice and capsicum are in excellent balance and the tannins, whilst a little functional, do everything they need to do.  A little leather suggests its bottle age, but the wine isn’t going anywhere in a hurry.

At $20 you’re getting a really good wine with lots going on.  It’s regional, interesting and well crafted.  I was quite surprised how much of the bottle I’d consumed by the time I’d written my impressions and that is always a good sign.

Winery Website- http://www.cardinham.com/