Cabernet (and blends) celebration
Ben and Estella's place, Parramatta
Tasted Sunday, June 12, 2022 by chatters with 221 views
Introduction
a tenth anniversary tasting of the first time we caught up for a sit down lunch. The theme today was, as it was then, Cabernet and blends.
the format was two brackets tasted blind and then a show of hands for favourite wines (you were allowed to vote multiple times for each bracket)
Flight 1 - Older/softer wines (8 Notes)
A lot to like here...so easier to highlight my 'duds' which were the Bin 407 and the Reschke Empyrean...
Flight 2 - Younger/more vibrant wines (8 Notes)
The Moss Wood was probably the biggest disappointment in this bracket. The Heartland was just plain bad. In retrospect I think the Woodlands Margaret was very good...but plenty of other big bold beauties here as well...
Flight 3 - Pudding (1 Note)
what a treat - yes 2004 isn't considered a great vintages but this was yummy
Closing
Lots of fun things to enjoy. I tended more to the Bordeaux than most other people.
1989 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Served blind.
Medium minus intensity aromas of dusty red berries, baked earth, leather, brambles and blackberries. Sourly juicy on the palate, a little volatility, sweet spice, talc textured tannins are softly engaging, fruit and tertiary as per the nose. Nice.
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1972 McWilliam's Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, South Eastern
Served blind.
Medium minus intensity aromas of leather, earth, a little red and black currant. Juicy, slight sour, muted fruit, earth, dense but with a soft tannic burr, cream. Yum.
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1998 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407
Australia, South Australia
Served blind.
Earthy, meaty, gamey, savoury, a little brambly fruit. Very slightly volatile as well on the nose. The volatility translates to the palate and lends a bit too much sourness for me.
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2010 Château Lafon-Rochet
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Served blind.
Blackcurrant, sweet spice, balanced but doesn't belong in the 'old bracket' based on the nose - just a smidge of leather and a touch of earth with time in the glass but the tertiary only just coming through. Juicy, fleshy, vibrant, dark fruits, tannic burr. Yum.
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2005 Château Belgrave
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Served blind.
Meaty, savoury, leather, bold black fruits, a little Autumn leaves, quite meaty, a little sweet spice underpin. medium plus intensity is quite juicy, tight textured tannins dry things out, cedar, dark fruits, alcohol warmth is present but non-intrusive on the finish. All travel long. I think it needs time to come together or a good decant. Okay.
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1998 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Served blind.
Blackcurrant and red currant as well, meaty, touch of tomato leaf, a little spice, leather. Sourly juicy acidity is a little sharp, red and blackcurrant, tannins are tightly engaging, a little chalky textured. Medium plus length. Okay.
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2004 Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Served blind.
medium minus intensity aromas initially, meaty, savoury, earthy, cream, leather, a little red over black hued fruit. Juicy, medium plus intensity acidity, red over blackcurrant again, leather, chalky tannins persist long hand in hand with the fruit. Very nice.
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1998 Reschke Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean
Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
Served blind.
Baked black fruits, a little sweet spice, touch of volatility, smells young in this bracket, violet. Sharply adjusted acidity, loads of alcohol, quite cough medicine. Tight tannins. Meh.
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