2 September 2010
It seems that we are in for plenty of good wines over the next year or two. I have long been talking about the quality of the 2008 vintage, but the first 2009’s that we are seeing look pretty good too. All the wines here are good value or are very good (or both), but there are a couple of standouts.
The Leasingham Bin 56 is an excellent wine and great value as it will be discounted to around $20. The Bligh Estate is not a wine that I am familiar with, but it offers great short to medium term drinking and the Angove is an outright bargain.
Reviewed
Leasingham – Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec – Bin 56 – 2008 (18.4). Lovely fruit leaps out of the glass. The palate is firm, but fine and quite seamless. Mouth-feel and texture are standouts and the finish is very long and fine. While the oak is noticeable, this will settle in a year or two as the fruit starts to open up. This is a star with a long future.
Xanadu – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (18.2). A welcome return to form by Xanadu. Some briary fruit with density on the nose. The palate is seamless and fine, yet there is latent power. The finish is very long. Develops plum and blueberry fruit characters in the mouth. This is easy to drink now, but that would be a shame.
Bligh Estate – Merlot/Cabernet Franc – 2007 (18). Really deep smelling and very complex. Red fruits to the fore (mulberry), but with lovely blackcurrant fruit density. Some savoury notes too. The palate is quite lean and angular, but fleshes out with air. The finish is very fine and silky.
Leeuwin Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Art Series – 2005 (18). Red fruit characters. There is lovely minty fruit. The palate shows plenty of spice, with more of the lovely fruit. This is fine and elegant with good length and mouth-feel. Holding its age very well.
Barwick Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – The Collectables – 2007 (17.9). Lots of mint and even a touch of Mortein on the nose, this is classic Margaret River cabernet sauvignon. More of the same on the palate, with chocolate, mint and cassis. The slightly chewy tannins hold things back now, but these will soften.
Fraser Gallop – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2009 (17.7). Good wine this. There is dense blackcurrant, cedar, cinnamon and spice on the palate and the texture is impressive. The fruit is lost in the fine oak and tannins, but will evolve.
Fraser Gallop – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.5+). This is a serious wine! Unyielding, this wine is closed and firm. Will score higher points in a year or two, and will need at least 10 years to show its best.
Cricketwood – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2007 (17.5). Dense and concentrated fruit. Cassis, cedar and spice on the nose. Dense fruit on the palate. Quality fruit and winemaking here. The finish is souring and the tannins are very fine. The oak on the finish is fine, but the fruit is subdued. Will drink well in 5-10 years.
Higher Plane – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – South by Southwest – 2008 (17.5). Sweet ripe fruit on the nose. Concentrated red fruits with blackcurrant and some lifted vanillin oak that is harmonious. The firm palate has dense blackcurrant fruit with a touch of mulberry and plum. Long and mouth-filling, this just needs time to come together. Should be good value.
Preveli – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2007 (17.5). I did not get much on the nose to start, but this is a complex wine. The mouth-feel is excellent, there is fine fruit and there is excellent oak handling. Give it time.
Angove – Cabernet Sauvignon – Long Row – 2008 (17). Pristine fruit. Redcurrant, cedar and cloves. The finish is long but a touch firm, but shows nice dark fruits. Will evolve nicely for the next 5 years.
Leasingham – Cabernet Sauvignon – Jam Shed – 2009 (16.9). Crowd pleaser here. This is made in a commercial style for easy drinking. The wine is forward and soft, with round fruit characters. The palate is juicy and there are lovely berry characters. The finish is long and uncomplicated.
Gilberts – Cabernet Sauvignon – Three Lads – 2008 (16.8). Primary fruit in the plum and berry spectrum. The palate is soft and supple, making for an easy drinking style.