Reviewed – July 10 2011

Whilst only eight wines made it through the tasting to be reviewed here, there are some very interesting wines that are worth trying for yourself.

Windows Estate is not a wine I have heard of before, but I was very impressed with their wines.

Reviewed

Windows Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Basket Pressed – 2009 (18). Dense and inky wine that has excellent quality fruit. Whilst there is powerful fruit, the firm tannins and quality oak hold back the palate at present. This is less obvious than their cabernet merlot, but it will be a long term star if you are patient enough. An excellent wine!

Robert Oatley – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.9). Blackcurrant aromas flood the nose. The dense fruit is combined with firm structural components. The linear nature of the palate ensures that this tastes like a straight cabernet. The palate is very long and fine, with complex red fruits, smart oak and good structure. Will benefit from some bottle age. (From Margaret River).

Parker Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Terra Rossa – 2007 (17.8+). Leads off with some herbal and eucalypt notes, followed by peppermint highlights. The silky and supple palate has hints of dark fruits and chocolate, with fine tannins. This wine’s Coonawara origins are displayed by the menthol aromas and a rich dense core of blackcurrant fruit. I really enjoyed a glass of this with my dinner!

Harewood Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.6). Impressive fruit on what is an interesting style. This has very cool region cabernet fruit on the nose, with menthol and a touch of herbal notes, but the quality of the fruit is really evident on the palate. The sweet fruit is dense and the textural components are spot on.

Drakesbrook – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2009 (17.5). Little to show on the nose initially, developing menthol and red fruits with air. The palate is vibrant and expressive. Impressive fruit quality, subtle oak and silky tannins make this a wine worth trying. Just give it some air.

Mad Fish – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – Sideways – 2009 (17.5). Lovely perfumed nose. There is ripe fruit with violets and floral notes. There is also complex coffee, chocolate and spice notes. Again, the oak and fruit tannins close down the palate at first, but this is a smart wine.

Windows Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2009 (17.5). This is a refined wine. Silky and elegant, with fine fruit on the nose. Lovely texture, length and mouth-feel with excellent structure on the palate. Not a big wine, but the high quality fruit and wine making are evident. Has a cool region feel to it and represents good short term drinking.

Fraser Gallop – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2010 (17). A fresh wine that has some appeal. Refined and elegant, with excellent length of fruit flavours. Very silky tannins and clever oak hold the fruit back just now. This will be better in a year or two.