Coonawarra 14.0% Cork $25
This is the younger sibling of Yalumba’s The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced (I believe) from the same vineyard and vinified in much the same way. It sees 14 months in mostly French hogsheads. Following on from the success of the 2008 – which saw that wine become scarce in a hurry – it’s an excellent release of outstanding value. I actually like the personality of this wine more.
Centered in the red fruit spectrum but with some requisite Coonawarra Cabernet cassis still in the picture alongside chocolate, autumn leaf, blood and burnt capsicum. There are purple floral notes as well but what grabs me about the wine is a sort of rusty earth character…very savoury and tremendously appealing.
Graphite like texture and assertive but balanced tannins round out what should be a very good medium to long term cellaring option. All good news for those who missed out on snapping up a bottle from the previous vintage. Now if they would only seal it with a screwcap…
Winery website- http://www.yalumba.com/