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For Your Pleasure
"For your pleasure
In our present state
Part false part true
Like anything
We present ourselvesThe words we use tumble
All over your shoulder
Gravel hard and looseThere all night lying
With your dark horse hiding
Abhorring such extremes" - Bryan FerryCategories
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Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon
Two good releases of the standard Tahbilk classic reds this year. I tend to enjoy them more than the higher price Eric Stevens Purbrick range. They seems less showy, more drinkable and more representative of my personal perception of Tahbilk. … Continue reading
2012 Teusner The Gentleman Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This is the first Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve tasted from Teusner (although not the first they have made). It’s fresh fruited, lively and just on medium-bodied with cedar-pine oak a minor contributor. Cassis, boysenberry, raspberry and spice. Textured tannin too. Problem … Continue reading
2010 Jacob’s Creek St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon
A very polished and balanced release even if it lacks any real excitement. Lots of eucalypt/peppermint too, so don’t say I didn’t warn you. Malty, toasty chocolate oak adds to the commercial appeal. It’s quite elegant with a touch of … Continue reading
2010 Shottesbrooke Punch Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
In a region renowned for Shiraz and increasingly flirting with Italian varieties Shottesbrooke strikes me as something of a Cabernet specialist. Density and depth. Blackberries, chocolate and roasted root vegetables with some mint jelly. Fresh dark cherries and blueberries impart vitality. … Continue reading
2012 Longhop Cabernet Sauvignon
Domenic Torzi and Tim Freeland keep producing wines that give you a lot more than you should probably expect for your fifteen odd dollars. I suspect this will improve over the medium term but most people will consume it now … Continue reading
2011 Castelli Cabernet Sauvignon
A ripe Cabernet with some warmth on the finish. It still possesses a significant degree of elegance and purity though. There’s a fair clip of French oak as well – fifteen months in 50% new and 50% one year old … Continue reading
2011 Battle of Bosworth Cabernet Sauvignon
A really tough wine to assess. I’ve spent three days with it and I’m still not sure if I have its measure. Of course, it doesn’t help that the last time we had a vintage like 2011 in Australia was … Continue reading
2011 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
The cool season has imparted a little more elegance to the Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon this year. It was matured almost entirely in 300 litre French oak hogsheads (22% new) for 19 months. Fresh fruited blackberry and mulberry flavour with earthy root … Continue reading
2010 Mandala The Butterfly Cabernet Sauvignon
From Mandala’s twenty year-old home site in Dixons Creek. It’s no shrinking violet and it’s not my preferred interpretation of Yarra Valley Cabernet but to some extent that’s beside point. The fruit spent two years in French oak, 50% of … Continue reading
2010 Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet Sauvignon
I reckon McLaren Vale is capable of producing some darn good Cabernet. Sadly this isn’t an example. Overwhelmingly sweet Ribena meets sweaty saddle leather and game. Disconcerting and not particularly enjoyable to smell or drink. Confected characters and “rustic” notes … Continue reading