New Release
Reviewed – 28 March 2011
There was a fairly high attrition rate in this tasting. This was mainly due to the disagreement between panel members on individual wines.
There were some high quality wines, with the Fraser Gallop and Vasse Felix being the standouts. 2008 has proved to be a very elegant year for Margaret River cabernet based wines. They are not quite as rich as the 2007’s but they are balanced and refined. The Leeuwin Estate is also noteworthy, coming from the more difficult 2006 vintage.
Finally, the cheapy from Shingleback offers great quaffing. It would be great with a lazy Sunday BBQ.
Reviewed
Fraser Gallop – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (18.1). Dense yet bright fruit. Cedar, cinnamon, blueberry and spice gently waft from the glass. Medium bodied, this is bit deceptive as the fruit is quit powerful and persistent. The finish is a touch firm at present, though there is no questioning the balance. This took two days to really open up, displaying a generosity of fruit that is very appealing. A smart wine for the cellar.
Leeuwin Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Art Series – 2006 (17.8). A touch more weight and power than the other older wines. This has fruit that tends toward the plum spectrum, but with fresh acidity and fine tannins. The mouth-feel and fruit weight are spot on. Blackcurrant on the close. This is a serious wine that took three days to show its best. It is one of the best 2006 Margaret River cabernets that I have seen.
Vasse Felix – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.8). A structured wine, with classic cabernet fruit aromas on the nose. There are cedary overtones, with mint, eucalypt and red fruits. The palate is a little firm, with mocha notes to the fore. The underlying fruit quality is excellent, but this needs 5 years to come together and will drink well for many more.
Tatachilla – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.7). Immediate appeal here. Forward and lifted fruit on the nose. Ripe, round, generous and fruit driven. There are lovely dark fruits on the palate. Deceptive finish as the soft fruit is the dominant character, but there is excellent length and persistence. Very fine tannins on the close become slightly chewy. Excellent short to medium term drinking. (From McClaren Vale).
Forest Hill – Cabernet Sauvignon – 2008 (17.6). Complex nose that possesses a degree of balance. A silky wine with bright red fruits. This presents as a fruit driven style, yet the structural components open up on the finish. Fine though drying fruit and oak tannins balance the finish of this modern and well made wine. A wine to watch over the next year or so as this may blossom.
Parker Estate – Cabernet Sauvignon – Terra Rossa – 2006 (17.5). Still a touch reserved and shy. An elegant wine that is balanced and refined. Only medium bodied, this is silky and fine.
Parker Estate – Merlot – Terra Rossa – 2006 (17.4). Dense, yet sweet, ripe and generous fruit on the nose. Cedar and spice underpin blackcurrant and red fruit. Delicious fruit on the palate, but already showing some bottle development. The structure is mellowed enough to make this good drinking right now. Quality merlot.
Umamu – Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot – 2006 (17.3). Interesting nose that has both sweet and savoury components. Silky fruit that is elegant and refined. The fruit is a little shy and the very fine and silky tannins coat the tongue. A good wine.
Shingleback – Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Knot – 2009 (17). A real crowd pleaser. Ripe, generous, soft and round, this wine has delicious mouth-filling fruit. This is not complicated or particularly serious, but it is an honest wine that delivers mouthfuls of drinking joy. With a RRP of $15 this is definitely worth a try but give it some air to allow the fruit to shine.