St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Vertical spanning 3 Decades (Merce's Castle): Strangely under cork (?) which came out in one piece and was in excellent condition. And for those interested the two bottles under cork in this flight had aged more than the two under screwcap which appeared fresher. No real surprise there. Anyway, back to the wine at hand. Deep red in colour, nose was slightly muted compared to the previous vintage but did give off some eucalyptus and vanilla. Medium bodied, with a medium slightly tannic/acidic finish. It was noted by a few in the group that there was a noticeable mid palate hole present, with one observer describing it as a “hit and run” wine. Not sure if the wine is just in a phase and will round out later in life but based on this bottle it just doesn’t have the stuffing to improve.
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Nice cabernet. The fruit is luscious without being overblown. The wine has a decent length with reasonably integrated tannins and firm acidity. The balance is excellent, but perhaps it just lacks the complexity of its top shelf cousins. Having said that I would be happy to drink this any time. And its still feels young and fresh.
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{screwcap, 14.2%} Deep garnet still. Barely developed nose; pure cassis fruit and vanilla bean. The palate is rich and ripe; there are nods to a Coonawarra savouriness and cabernet herbalism, but it's quite vanillan - although far from oaky as you might otherwise expect. Some basil and black fruit. Medium weight, and with a medium length finish, although it can't disguise something of a mid-palate hole, with all the edges of the tongue engaged but rather a vacuum in the centre. Pleasant enough, but not up to the best of this label (at least by historical standards, which are most of mine!). Will likely keep awhile, but I can't see real evolution to come.
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Mauve edged ruby bodied semi opaque wine. Core of ripe blackcurrant and black plum. Also blackberry black olives and mint. From the oak is pencil shavings cigar box and cinnamon. There is some subtle stewed plum and earth flavours. Best drunk 50-75 minutes after poured in decanter. Riedel bordeaux glasses at 16 deg C. As good as the 2008.
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Bought this on special. Nose: lovely cassis, a great example of what Cabernet should smell like. Palate: already surprisingly well integrated, with some good tannins. Really should have kept this for another few years, but was keen to taste now and get an idea what it's like.
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Very good quality Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is of deep ruby color with purplish tinge, and a good intense and complex nose showing youthful characters of cassis and blackberry, eucalyptus and mint, cocoa, cloves, liquorice, vanilla. A good acidity accompanying a fairly high tannin level yet of silky texture, the wine is fairly full-bodied, with good intense flavors of blackberry and cassis, vanilla, liquorice, cocoa. The characters are typical of the Cabernet in the terra rossa soil, with the main criticism coming from the relatively 'standard' length of finish. It is ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 6-8 years.
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12/2/2023 - sthugo wrote:
St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Vertical spanning 3 Decades (Merce's Castle): Strangely under cork (?) which came out in one piece and was in excellent condition. And for those interested the two bottles under cork in this flight had aged more than the two under screwcap which appeared fresher. No real surprise there. Anyway, back to the wine at hand. Deep red in colour, nose was slightly muted compared to the previous vintage but did give off some eucalyptus and vanilla. Medium bodied, with a medium slightly tannic/acidic finish. It was noted by a few in the group that there was a noticeable mid palate hole present, with one observer describing it as a “hit and run” wine. Not sure if the wine is just in a phase and will round out later in life but based on this bottle it just doesn’t have the stuffing to improve.
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3/28/2019 - LexG9 wrote:
Cleanskin
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5/6/2018 - Andrew67 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice cabernet. The fruit is luscious without being overblown. The wine has a decent length with reasonably integrated tannins and firm acidity. The balance is excellent, but perhaps it just lacks the complexity of its top shelf cousins. Having said that I would be happy to drink this any time. And its still feels young and fresh.
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5/21/2017 - graemeg wrote:
{screwcap, 14.2%} Deep garnet still. Barely developed nose; pure cassis fruit and vanilla bean. The palate is rich and ripe; there are nods to a Coonawarra savouriness and cabernet herbalism, but it's quite vanillan - although far from oaky as you might otherwise expect. Some basil and black fruit. Medium weight, and with a medium length finish, although it can't disguise something of a mid-palate hole, with all the edges of the tongue engaged but rather a vacuum in the centre. Pleasant enough, but not up to the best of this label (at least by historical standards, which are most of mine!). Will likely keep awhile, but I can't see real evolution to come.
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12/28/2014 - Indran Rajendra wrote: 94 Points
Tasted a little odd with a strong varnished cupboard smell intermixed with blackcurrant. Different from a recent tasting of the same vintage.
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4/30/2014 - Indran Rajendra Likes this wine: 96 Points
Mauve edged ruby bodied semi opaque wine. Core of ripe blackcurrant and black plum. Also blackberry black olives and mint. From the oak is pencil shavings cigar box and cinnamon. There is some subtle stewed plum and earth flavours. Best drunk 50-75 minutes after poured in decanter. Riedel bordeaux glasses at 16 deg C. As good as the 2008.
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11/23/2013 - Ozsnapper Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bought this on special.
Nose: lovely cassis, a great example of what Cabernet should smell like.
Palate: already surprisingly well integrated, with some good tannins.
Really should have kept this for another few years, but was keen to taste now and get an idea what it's like.
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7/26/2013 - startinoz wrote: 93 Points
Lovely red and black fruit. Mouth watering acid (Coonawarra?) Great cellaring potential. 93+ points.
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5/27/2013 - peterchoy wrote: 91 Points
Very good quality Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is of deep ruby color with purplish tinge, and a good intense and complex nose showing youthful characters of cassis and blackberry, eucalyptus and mint, cocoa, cloves, liquorice, vanilla. A good acidity accompanying a fairly high tannin level yet of silky texture, the wine is fairly full-bodied, with good intense flavors of blackberry and cassis, vanilla, liquorice, cocoa. The characters are typical of the Cabernet in the terra rossa soil, with the main criticism coming from the relatively 'standard' length of finish. It is ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 6-8 years.
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