8 July 2010
Another interesting tasting, and a couple of surprises.
The Shaw Vineyard Estate cabernet sauvignon is a cracker. This is a very good wine, but it is also really good drinking. There is a generosity to the fruit that is very seductive.
Most of the wines will benefit from some bottle age, especially the likes of Suckfizzle and Howard Park. These are excellent wines, but they will develop much greater drinkability in 5-10 years.
Reviewed
Howard Park – Cabernet – Abercrombie – 2008 (18.5). This is a super wine with well ripened fruit. Excellent wine making has produced a powerful wine with real class. Cedar and spice dominate the nose, and the palate is fine yet has real fruit density. Evolves with air. Textured and chewy to close, this is a star.
Shaw Vineyard Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Premium – 2008 (18+). Menthol and elastoplast to start. Even a touch of Mortein, (These are all good things – really!). Some mint and eucalypt suggest cool climate fruit. There is a touch of blackcurrant fruit too and cedary oak highlights. The palate is very good. Long and textured, there are more of the cool fruit characters, but these are ripe and delicious. The tannins are very fine and the souring finish adds life.
Suckfizzle – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007 (18). Complex nose with earthy notes to the blackcurrant and sour plum fruit. Tobacco leaf, cedar and herbal notes all add to the nose. The theme follows on the palate with complex fruit and mouth coating texture. Excellent length and firm yet fine tannins. Very good, but needs 10 years.
Cricketwood – Cabernet – 2006 (17.5). Closed. A finely structured and elegant wine, this has soft, high quality fruit. Whilst cool climate fruit is apparent, the fleshiness suggests the fruit ripeness is well judged. Excellent length makes for a satisfying wine. A bargain at $135 per case including delivery to metro Perth. Ph 9384 5555
Stella Bella – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2007 (17.5). Classic nose, with mint and cooler fruit characters. The palate is textured yet very firm at present. Tannins are very fine and the finish is very drying. Not as long as the very best. Gets extra points for being a really good drink now.
Stella Bella – Merlot – Serie Luminosa – 2007 (17.5+) Much more mint and capsicum suggesting a cooler fruit source. Really silky and fine, this is an impressive wine with real length and complexity. Whilst there is some ripe primary fruit, this is Bordeaux-like in its structure and mouth-feel. Fine oak needs time to integrate further. Will improve for 5-10 years, but the style will polarize.
Bligh Estate – Merlot/Cabernet Frank – Blackrock – 2007 (17.3). Dusty, silky nose that is pretty and appealing. There is an amalgam of cedar and spice with ripe fruit in the blueberry and violet spectrum. Quite fine on the palate with a tight, lean structure. This will benefit from a few years in the bottle.
Houghton – Cabernet Sauvignon – Wisdom – 2008 (17). Balanced and fine, this is all about potential. Menthol and herbal characters to the fore, this is a tight and closed wine. Very good length and chewy tannins suggest that the patient will be rewarded.