The first of two bottles I bought nearly a decade ago and it's developing beautifully. Decanted from a small amount of very fine sediment. A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the colour now is a mid to deep red, turning brick towards the edges. The bouquet has entered 'secondary' territory, with a nice amalgam of ripe red and black berry fruits, mulberry and the faintest hint of Central Victorian mint, which all follow through onto the palate, with a touch of mocha as well. Whilst the back label mentions French and American oak, neither dominate, but there is a sense of 'large old oak' character that is typical of the Tahbilk style too. The balance of fruit maturity, still refreshing acidity and long, gentle tannins combine to reveal a wine that's lovely drinking now, but will stay on for probably another decade for those who like tertiary characters. A very nice bottle of red in a genuine regional style. Screw cap. 14% alc/vol
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I couldn't have written a better, more apt note than Kayaking below and 3 more years along the path, this wine is just singing a happy tune. Hard to imagine how it could get much better, but there's no doubt it will live for many more years (screw cap) for those who like to experiment with long bottle age (me). Sadly this was my last bottle, but as at the date of writing, winemaker Geraldine McFaul told me there is some WC vintage release 2019 available at the winery. The Willow Creek brand has since been abandoned in favour of the Rare Hare naming at Jackalope. As Geraldine is still in charge, one can imagine that this wine style carries on under their Single Vineyard series. 13% alc/vol, all French oak, 20% new.
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Opened and decanted for about 1 hour - little to no sediment. This wine is what I would describe and a typical Barossa Valley Cabernet (accepting that there are variations within the valley and between winemaking styles.) Medium weight, ripe, plump fruit without any particular blackcurrant or black olive nuances on the nose, yet the palate mouthfeel definitely says Cabernet. Some nice ripe berry fruit, beautifully integrated oak (at least now, noting some other's comments from 5 years ago), quite long and soft on the palate and through the finish, but sufficiently structured to hold great form with food. It is in a lovely drinking space now, yet capable of going on for at least a further 5 years without risk under screw cap - possibly longer.
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2012 Tahbilk Old Vines Cabernet - Shiraz
4/21/2024 - Neddy9 Likes this wine: 88 Points
The first of two bottles I bought nearly a decade ago and it's developing beautifully. Decanted from a small amount of very fine sediment. A 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, the colour now is a mid to deep red, turning brick towards the edges. The bouquet has entered 'secondary' territory, with a nice amalgam of ripe red and black berry fruits, mulberry and the faintest hint of Central Victorian mint, which all follow through onto the palate, with a touch of mocha as well. Whilst the back label mentions French and American oak, neither dominate, but there is a sense of 'large old oak' character that is typical of the Tahbilk style too. The balance of fruit maturity, still refreshing acidity and long, gentle tannins combine to reveal a wine that's lovely drinking now, but will stay on for probably another decade for those who like tertiary characters. A very nice bottle of red in a genuine regional style.
Screw cap. 14% alc/vol
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2018 Willow Creek Chardonnay
4/19/2024 - Neddy9 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I couldn't have written a better, more apt note than Kayaking below and 3 more years along the path, this wine is just singing a happy tune. Hard to imagine how it could get much better, but there's no doubt it will live for many more years (screw cap) for those who like to experiment with long bottle age (me). Sadly this was my last bottle, but as at the date of writing, winemaker Geraldine McFaul told me there is some WC vintage release 2019 available at the winery. The Willow Creek brand has since been abandoned in favour of the Rare Hare naming at Jackalope. As Geraldine is still in charge, one can imagine that this wine style carries on under their Single Vineyard series. 13% alc/vol, all French oak, 20% new.
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2012 Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon
4/17/2024 - Neddy9 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opened and decanted for about 1 hour - little to no sediment. This wine is what I would describe and a typical Barossa Valley Cabernet (accepting that there are variations within the valley and between winemaking styles.)
Medium weight, ripe, plump fruit without any particular blackcurrant or black olive nuances on the nose, yet the palate mouthfeel definitely says Cabernet. Some nice ripe berry fruit, beautifully integrated oak (at least now, noting some other's comments from 5 years ago), quite long and soft on the palate and through the finish, but sufficiently structured to hold great form with food.
It is in a lovely drinking space now, yet capable of going on for at least a further 5 years without risk under screw cap - possibly longer.
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