Coonawarra 14.0% Screwcap $40
Anyone familiar with the Balnaves label will be well aware that Pete Bissell isn’t shy about using a bit of oak. He’s quite capable of pulling it off too, under the right circumstances. This one sees 18 months in French barriques of which 48% are new.
A blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet and 2% Petit Verdot…right, now we’ve gotten the percentages out of the way, how was the wine? Well, it didn’t work for me. There’s a lot of blackberry leaf and tomato bush on the nose. Underneath that you’ll find briary red and black fruits, chewed pencils and mint. It’s an austere wine and the fruit never really matched up to the wood over three days of tasting.
Some may call it elegant but I’m more of a mind to call it angry and a little short.
Winery website- http://www.parkercoonawarraestate.com.au/
Agreed JP.
I thought Coonawarra delivered a swag of good merlots from the likes of Majella and Zema Estate in 2004, but my clear favourite was the 2004 Parker. It really got my hopes up for the label – I loved it. Since then, things have been on a bit of a downhill slide, making $40 seem laughable really. My fingers are crossed they turn things around on this wine one day, since they've already shown what they're capable of. 2010 vintage maybe…..
Cheers,
Chris P
It's an interesting one isn't it? I would think Merlot should perform with reasonable consistency in Coonawarra but with the exception of an 08 Leconfield I've been underwhelmed by those I've tasted over the last four vintages (a Petaluma may have been another exception but I have only a vague memory of it and no idea of its vintage).
As you say, fingers crossed for 2010…and 09 too as I'm yet to taste much from that vintage either.
cheers
j
Parker Terra Rossa Merlot is an extremely elegant and finely structured wine. It is packed with deep, dark berry fruit that is nuanced with hints of cocoa, herbs, and earth making for a soft structure overall.
Gosh, I don't think the 2006 release fits that description at all…but you seem to be referring to the wine as if it is an NV :/
Interesting that your name links to Howard Park Wine's website. I think my readers will be interested in that fact too. Can you inform us as to what role you play in their organisation?
This site contains independent reviews, with a name and email attached. Thanks so much for adding your (almost) anonymous tasting note. It reads like a PR release…
"Some may call it elegant but I'm more of a mind to call it angry and a little short."
So you've met my ex-girlfriend then…
Thanks Jeremy for bringing this to my attention, will be sending out a formal staff enquiry tomorrow to see who is posting on our behalf.
David w Burch
Howard Park, MadFish Wines