Category Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Longview Devil’s Elbow Cabernet Sauvignon

Four and a half stars from whoever was judging the WineState magazine (May/June 2012) bracket that day. I struggle to see the appeal myself. The wine just feels unconvincing and wishy-washy. It’s ripe and varietal but also has an almost dilute character. … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Cabernet Sauvignon | Tagged | Comments Off

Vale WWEI: Prepare to Meet Your Maker

Vale interloper Gods listen. Or at least that’s the conclusion I came to at the end of a three-day junket in McLaren Vale earlier in July. To begin with, I kind of muscled my way into the Queensland “Meet Your … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Cabernet et al, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fiano, Grenache, Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Mourvèdre/Mataró, Mourvèdre/Mataró et al, Other Whites, Roussanne, Sagrantino et al, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Shiraz et al, Vermentino, Viognier, White Blends, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

2010 Deen De Bortoli Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted through the new Deen De Bortoli reds last night. Fair bit of value on offer in general but this Cabernet didn’t inspire me. Interesting as I have a bit of a hard-on for the 2010 vintage in many regions. It … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia | Tagged | Comments Off

2010 Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale | Tagged | Comments Off

2010 Oakridge Local Vineyard Series Oakridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Have I mentioned that I really dig Yarra Cabernet? On a purely personal level, I’ll take a good Yarra Cab over Coonawarra or the Margaret River any day. I find them much more intriguing and enjoyable to drink. Elegance and … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Yarra Valley | Tagged | Comments Off

2010 Shottesbrooke Cabernet Sauvignon

I recently spent a couple of days in McLaren Vale and attended a Cabernet class that only intensified my respect for the way the region is handling the variety in recent years. Increased elegance, varietal veracity and respect for sites … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Red Stripe Comes of Age: d’Arenberg’s 100th Birthday Lunch

And it’s Time, Time, Time… Chester Osborn, who began his tenure as chief winemaker at d’Arenberg in 1984, was limping ever so slightly as he came to greet me. We were at Urbane for what turned out to be an … Continue reading

Posted in Adelaide Hills, Articles, Cabernet et al, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Grenache et al, McLaren Vale, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Shiraz, Shiraz et al, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

2010 Kirrihill Tullymore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A lovely and affordable taste of Clare Valley Cabernet from what was, by all accounts, a good red vintage. It’s regionality and balance are hard to fault. High-toned menthol, mulberry, violets and blackberry. Not so much over-powering cassis, which I know others … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley | Tagged | Comments Off

Chapel Hill Red Wine Workshop 3.0

Last week I attended the third Chapel Hill Red Wine Workshop in Brisbane, hosted by head winemaker Michael Fragos. I’m not a huge fan of ‘cattle’ trade tastings, although I do get along to a few each year. The atmosphere … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Margaret River, McLaren Vale, Shiraz, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Yalumba Library Tasting Brisbane 2012: A Night at the Museum

I first read about Yalumba’s famed cellar in an article by Campbell Mattinson; “The mystery room, the locked door, and the Yalumba wine library“. An inspirational piece. You’ll need a subscription to read it but the quote which stuck with … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Cabernet et al, Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Eden Valley, Fortifieds, Port, Riesling, Riesling et al, Shiraz, Shiraz et al, South Australia, Viognier, White Blends, Wine Events, Wine Musings | Tagged , , | 6 Comments