Community Tasting Note

forceberry wrote:

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (96%) and Petit Verdot (4%). Fermented and macerated for 5-7 days in rotary and static fermentors; a small portion was left with the skins for a longer time. Aged for 14 months in French oak Barriques (20% new). 14,5% alcohol, 0,33 g/l residual sugar, 6,2 g/l acidity, 0,27 g/l VA and pH 3,52. 140 mg/l SO2, 38 mg/l of which is free.

Somewhat translucent black cherry color. Dry, woody and quite savory nose with aromas of licorice, dried herbs, some woody pencil shaving tones, a little bit of toasty oak spice and a hint of fresh blackcurrant. The nose shows surprisingly little fruit, but it still comes across as quite pleasant and attractive. The wine is fresh, firm and medium-bodied on the palate with savory flavors of red cherries, some leafy green tones, a little bit of fresh dark plums, a little bit of brambly black raspberry, light woody notes of pencil shavings and a sweeter hint of toasty, slightly chocolatey oak. The wine is wonderfully high in acidity that makes the wine feel bright and structured, but the tannins feel quite ripe, mellow and textural; a wine this savory could use a little bit of tannic grip! The finish is dry, juicy and quite long with savory flavors of crunchy blackcurrants, fresh plums, some brambly raspberry tones, a little bit of herbaceous bell pepper character and a woody hint of pencil shavings.

A very nice, fresh and serious effort for a mere entry-level Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine exhibits lovely precision and although the fruit feels ripe, it lacks the overt sweetness that I often find rather distracting in new world Cabs. Overall the wine seems to be in great balance and although the oak shows a little, it doesn't obfuscate the purity of fruit much. The only thing I really found the wine was lacking in were the tannins; this feels otherwise like a warm-vintage Left Bank Bordeaux, but without the tannins typical of the style. A very nice wine all the same.

Post a Comment / View forceberry's profile
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (791 views)