There may have been some batch variation (which can certainly happen with large production runs like this) to account for the rather varied reviews of this wine on the site. This is a well made cool climate Australian style pitched in the commercial, 'restaurant' market.
It was once a flagship style, but that was a long time ago - the early 1980's would be the latest one could have said that.
However, from time to time this wine transcends its style. 1986, 1990 are two vintages that come to mind.
On release, in 2014 I recall it getting very good reviews and tasted at the time I thought it might be fun to grab one and give it some years. The issue with 2012 in Coonawarra is that there was a fair bit of rain at different times and it was a cooler year, so some makers fell foul of slightly under-ripe tannins in their Cabernet, especially. As always, oak treatment can be an issue.
Under a working closure (screw cap), rather than cork (a closure with all the performance characteristics of the Alfa Sud).
Brick red, deep and little fading to the rim.
Nose speaks of cassis with some herbal hints (dare I say it, a hint of green pea), cedar and it really is promising of good Cabernet.
The palate is long with excellent intensity and flavours as per nose. Tannins are firm but fine and really only come on at the finish. The wine is pretty fresh, more so than the colour might suggest. Drink now - it's in a good place. This is equivalent to many Third Growths in quality and given my own views that Bordeaux has been buggered by Parkerisation since the early 1990's it offers a better expression of the grape than them and at a fraction of the price. Not a special occasion wine but a really enjoyable drink with some class beyond its price point.
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Bright colour. Mint cream biscuits and dark chocolate on the nose. Grippy blackberry fruit with less mint on the palate than I was expecting from the nose. Lovely soft grip on the finish and considerable length on the finish. Excellent. No rush.
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Drank with a couple other Coonawarra 2012's, Wynns Siding and Mr Riggs Outpost. Typical cabernet from Coonawarra for its $25-$30 price point. One dimensional mint, eucalyptus, little bit of cigar box. Not a bad texture actually, but knock this one back and dont over think it. It should hold a few years no worries, but I wouldn't expect it to evolve into the blockbuster Halliday eludes. Not sure I see what he sees in this wine. Pleasant enough though.
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Deep Crimson purple colour with intense sweet choc mint nose, nice black current / cherry fruit with good balance supported by a fine tannin back bone , excellent persistent finish
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11/8/2022 - ProfByron wrote: 89 Points
Not bad. Not great. A bit dense and plain. Lacks character and interest.
Just concentrated premium but boring.
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8/20/2021 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine: 90 Points
There may have been some batch variation (which can certainly happen with large production runs like this) to account for the rather varied reviews of this wine on the site. This is a well made cool climate Australian style pitched in the commercial, 'restaurant' market.
It was once a flagship style, but that was a long time ago - the early 1980's would be the latest one could have said that.
However, from time to time this wine transcends its style. 1986, 1990 are two vintages that come to mind.
On release, in 2014 I recall it getting very good reviews and tasted at the time I thought it might be fun to grab one and give it some years. The issue with 2012 in Coonawarra is that there was a fair bit of rain at different times and it was a cooler year, so some makers fell foul of slightly under-ripe tannins in their Cabernet, especially. As always, oak treatment can be an issue.
Under a working closure (screw cap), rather than cork (a closure with all the performance characteristics of the Alfa Sud).
Brick red, deep and little fading to the rim.
Nose speaks of cassis with some herbal hints (dare I say it, a hint of green pea), cedar and it really is promising of good Cabernet.
The palate is long with excellent intensity and flavours as per nose. Tannins are firm but fine and really only come on at the finish. The wine is pretty fresh, more so than the colour might suggest. Drink now - it's in a good place. This is equivalent to many Third Growths in quality and given my own views that Bordeaux has been buggered by Parkerisation since the early 1990's it offers a better expression of the grape than them and at a fraction of the price. Not a special occasion wine but a really enjoyable drink with some class beyond its price point.
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8/14/2021 - Mic Mac Likes this wine:
Bright colour. Mint cream biscuits and dark chocolate on the nose. Grippy blackberry fruit with less mint on the palate than I was expecting from the nose. Lovely soft grip on the finish and considerable length on the finish. Excellent. No rush.
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12/28/2017 - ProfByron wrote: 85 Points
Not a bad wine, but I'm disappointed. This was once one of Australia's greats, and this is a good vintage.
A bit too much alcohol, a bit too much sweet oak, and a lack of concentration. Young vines, best fruit now kept for other labels?
Can't see much point in aging this. Soft and approachable now.
{14%, screwcap}
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12/24/2016 - red.red.vino wrote: 88 Points
Drank with a couple other Coonawarra 2012's, Wynns Siding and Mr Riggs Outpost.
Typical cabernet from Coonawarra for its $25-$30 price point. One dimensional mint, eucalyptus, little bit of cigar box. Not a bad texture actually, but knock this one back and dont over think it. It should hold a few years no worries, but I wouldn't expect it to evolve into the blockbuster Halliday eludes. Not sure I see what he sees in this wine. Pleasant enough though.
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7/25/2014 - LindsayM wrote: 90 Points
Deep Crimson purple colour with intense sweet choc mint nose, nice black current / cherry fruit with good balance supported by a fine tannin back bone , excellent persistent finish
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