I recently spent a couple of days in McLaren Vale and attended a Cabernet class that only intensified my respect for the way the region is handling the variety in recent years. Increased elegance, varietal veracity and respect for sites and subregions. I’ll write more about that shortly but in the mean time here’s a very nice example of the synergy between the grape and the area – keenly priced it is too.
It offers up a ripe mouthful of cassis, chocolate, licorice and mint with flashes of red fruit and interesting gingerbread notes. Cedar oak is sopped up by the fruit and it flows without interruption, ending with shapely, fine tannin. It will age but there’s ample enjoyment on offer in its youth. Very Good
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $20
Tasted: July 2012
As discussed via Twitter Jeremy, I believe that Cabernet has been a more consistent performer than Shiraz in the Vale over the last 5 vintages and probably deserves a bit more attention. It laughed at the tough weather patterns of 2011 and has turned out stunning wines at all pricepoints. Hail the Vale Cab..
On the whole, I was more impressed with the Cabernet I tasted on that recent trip to the Vale than the Shiraz…which is not to say the Shiraz wasn’t good.