Chapel Hill has made age-worthy Cabernet for a number of years now. I think 2005 was the first vintage I cellared. It’s still drinking well with time on its side. This is a generous offering, no doubt…but varietal character isn’t absent.
A good deal of charry, vanillin oak greats the nose but there’s ample ripe fruit so it’s all taken in stride. Cassis and mulberry, earth and tea leaf. Some aniseed notes as well. The tannin is here to play; it feels a touch astringent at first but settles down with time. And that’s what this wine needs. Time. Everything else is pretty much in place. Good – Very Good
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price : $3o
Tasted: August 2012