Tempranillo isn’t mentioned on the front label but that’s the variety used. Considering its current popularity perhaps this is a statement of intent – a move by Cascabel to situate the wine in a Mediterranean stylistic bracket…which of course begs the question of whether it is any more justifiable to homogenise a region like the Mediterranean than it is to homogenise a grape like Tempranillo. Anyway, don’t mind me. I find these sorts of ideas interesting and problematic.
Jubey, sweet raspberry and dried cranberry on entry followed by dusty herbs, savoury leaf and stale spice (more attractive than it sounds). Lively acid and snappy, crunchy tannin. Plenty of cedary oak. A good effort from the vintage. 88
Region: McLaren Vale
Alcohol: 14.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $32
Tasted: November 2013