Precisely the sort of Coonawarra Cabernet that results in rapturous discussions about the synergy between the variety and the region. It’s a wine of true elegance and composure.
Cassis, cedar and violets flecked with mint and lighter red fruited notes. What sets it apart from the pack is its medium-bodied grace, some perfectly pitched oak, lazy length and wonderfully lithe textured tannin. No doughnut effect here, the mid-palate is supple and generous. Alcohol warmth is also notably absent. Should age very well indeed. 94+ Excellent
Region: Coonawarra
Alcohol: 14.4%
Closure: Cork
Price: $33
Tasted: February 2013
Redman Cabernet and 94+? Surely you jest! This is a wine I’ve often wanted to like, but often has suffered in recent years from the Coonawarran disease of tweaked up acidity, under and over-ripe characteristics and high alcohol. I’m keen to try this!
MichaelC
Yes, I think a lot of Coonawarra Cabernet has suffered from tweaked up acidity and high alcohol for a while now. That’s partly what makes this exciting. The acid sits beautifully within the wine and there’s no alcohol heat to speak of. As for the ripeness, it’s bang on. Look forward to hearing what you think of it Michael. I reckon a lot of Coonawarra wineries should be sniffing around and finding out what Redman did so right in vintage 2010.
Jeremy,
I have been searching for sometime for a coonawarra cab sav where the alcohol doesn’t make me think “surely people can’t enjoy this over alcohol beast”.
You obviously gave this the thumbs up………however
I am thinking at 14.4% alc it would have to present somehow/somewhere ?
Perhaps no alc warmth …….but surely on the nose or elsewhere on entry ?
Many thanks
Colin r
I didn’t perceive any Colin and I do think alcohol related warmth/heat rears its head too often in Coonawarra Cabernet…but I don’t believe we all have the same thresholds when it comes to the perception of alcohol and indeed, the degree to which we find it distracting.
All I can say is that if you’re keen on trying another Coonawarra Cabernet then this wouldn’t be a poor option. Mind you, I’ve tasted very few 2012 Coonawarra Cabernets and the word is that the vintage has produced some excellent wines. Not many get sent my way (no real surprise given that I have been quite critical of the region’s wines), so it’s difficult for me to comment.