Important Update From the Founder Read message >
wine

1998 Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth

See wine details

TERRA ROSSA FIRST GROWTH
1998


WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS:

“The 1998 vintage could only be described as outstanding. Superb weather conditions during both the growing and ripening seasons have produced fruit of classic quality.
The 1998 First Growth exhibits aromas that prepare you for the power of its flavour. The bouquet is a complex mixture of ripe wild berries combined with quite spicy and aromatic oak. The oak is all new and French.
The palate has great concentration of flavour with the structure allowing the many different layers of fruit to emerge in harmony. Although it is intense, it still retains the elegance and sophistication so important with Coonawarra wines. The length of flavour beautifully balances the very ripe and fine tannins on the back palate. The wine is certainly approachable while it is young but patience will be rewarded, as it is capable of many years cellaring.


PRESS COMMENTS INCLUDE:

Wine Magazine UK July 2001
Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth 1998 Coonawarra, SA 96 Points.
Rated number one in a recent tasting of 26 Coonawarra by a panel of MW’s Journalists and marketers. Not to be left behind, our Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon came in at number 6.

'Quite deep and oaky, with a dry, dusty, mineral nose. A touch of chocolate and coffee. Dry, structured entry, lots of rich cassis fruit buried here. Has minerality and real middle palate weight. Unknit, but has real strength and extract.' Nick Adams MW
'Deep and bright with rich, ripe, classy pure cabernet aromas. Lovely generous palate. Seriously silky and complete, with complexity yet to develop.' Richard Bampfield MW

Jeremy Oliver – The OnWine Report Magazine – December 1999/January 2000
“It’s perhaps a shade more alcoholic than truly perfect, but there’s truly remarkable depth of flavour in this plush, smooth and truly long-term wine. Simply extraordinary in its concentration and pungency of almost wild, exotic fruit. It’s deep, alluring and powerful, but finely balanced with smoky mocha/cedar oak. Drink 2018+” Rating 19.0

Robert M. Parker, Jr.’s – The Wine Advocate – February 2000 Issue 127
“Readers should keep an eye out for the 1998 TERRA ROSSA FIRST GROWTH after its release later this year. Its dense purple colour is followed by extraordinary sweet fruit, intense glycerin, and a full-bodied, concentrated mouth-feel. The purity, high extract, and uncanny symmetry are Perhaps the finest Terra Rossa First Growth yet produced. It should drink well for two decades or more.”​ Rating (95-97)





Andrew Wood – Divine Food & Wine – July/September 2000 Issue 23
“A much younger version of the ’96. Huge impact of purpley, sweet berry fruit that is amazingly well balanced. Drinking brilliantly now, despite its tender age. Will rival 96, if not surpass it.”​

Ralph Kyte -Powell – The Melbourne Age “Uncorked” – 31 October 2000.
“A Coonawarra classic, Parker’s First Growth epitomises the best regional cabernet style. The wine reached new heights in the great 1998 vintage. Very deep in color, it has gorgeously concentrated liqueurish blackcurrant fruit, dressed modishly in balanced cedary/spicy oak. The long palate is lush and seamless in texture, with ripe tannins backing it up. Great.
Aging? Yes, two to 15 years.
Food ideas: pot – roasted lamb shanks; fillet of beef.
 ( A superb example, a near perfect wine of great character, worthy of the big occasion and the best company)

Tim White – Weekend Financial Review – 16-17 December 2000
“Smells like a punnet of intense blackcurrants and the sweetest smelling plums; deep and pure with cedar-woodsy characters adding complexity. There’s fine new oak too, of course, but it’s integrating well. In the mouth, the feeling is of controlled, refined intensity: it’s sweet-fruited to attack with currants and blackberries, but evolves elemental cabernet sauvignon tanginess as it builds across the palate. The tannins are chewy and dry and, importantly, last just as long as the sweet fruit in the finish: the palate shrieks class. In case you haven’t guessed, I think this wine is an absolute stunner, the best current release Australian wine I’ve tasted this year, in fact. Cellar it for a decade to do it justice. Rating: 96(98)/100


Winewise, June 2001
Another top notch Coonawarra which is packed with varietal flavour. The skin tannins are beautifully handled, but the toasty oak, meant to seduce, goes about it a bit unsubtly. There’s a hint of Coonawarra leaf in the background, but it contributes complexity in this case. A wine with all the bells and whistles that allow it to stand out in a line-up. Highly Recommended

Sydney Morning Herald, Uncorked. Winter 2001
From one of Coonawarra’s best vintages and one of its best estates, this cabernet blend had to be superb, and it is. Deep coloured, essency with gorgeous blackcurrant liqueur aroma and flavour and classy oak, it’s ripe, long and powerful, yet it also has supreme finesse. 

Last edited on 6/15/2019 by LindsayM

This is the only version of this article. View version history

Edit this Article

© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC.

Report a Problem

Close