A balanced and regional Cabernet from Zema Estate. More elegance than I’ve seen in a Zema wine in a while, but that rustic house-style remains. Happy times.
Smells of cassis flecked with cherry and raspberry, some savoury earth and tar and a suggestion of sopressa. Spry acidity encased in a creamy chocolate mid-palate with autumnal leaf seeing things out. That cordial-like upfront sweetness of Coonawarra Cabernet is still there but there’s plenty of other action going on. The oak does feel a little raw though. Assertive, grainy, bucolic tannin needs time to settle – and I would like to see more finesse in this aspect of the structure – but it’s a winsome effort. 9o Good
Region: Coonawarra
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $28.95
Tasted: November 2012