Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/19/2007 (link)

  (CABERNET Hay Shed Hill) Holiday Special #9 Dear Friends, The gifts keep coming from Hay Shed Hill and we won’t complain. From the same parcel that their now defunct distributor had on hold for two years (like the Sauvignon Blanc), this boutique level Cabernet is from some of Margaret River’s oldest vines and arguably Australia’s greatest terroir for Margaux-like Cabernet production. Hay Shed Hill lies in the sweetest spot in Margaret River for Cabernet and I can sum this up quickly - you get an estate grown wine from a top vintage for a very small price tag - I’m not sure what else to say. Line-priced with the Cabernet Franc (Block 8), this wine would be a contender for Deal of the Year but we don’t have enough to go around so I'll limit the verbiage (there’s a lot less of this than the Sauvignon Blanc) The Estate Cabernet is from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot - it is the winery’s signature offering produced with only natural yeast and a caring hand. Here’s the WSW review of the 2004 Hay Shed (Etched) Cabernet - the wine we offer below is from the same vineyard but with less new oak and from the cooler parcel (Sort of like Shafer Hillside vs. regular Shafer Cabernet - the Hillside is more desireable but both are no slouch). The Estate was released too late to be reviewed in this edition so I’m giving you an idea of the style with the Etched): Hay Shed Hill (Etched) Cabernet 2004: “2004 was a better Cabernet vintage in Margaret River than 2003 and the 2004 Etched Cabernet Sauvignon, the Hay Shed Hill premium Cabernet Sauvignon, shows the benefit of both this and the change in viticulture and winemaking. This wine is marvelous. It typifies the benefits of the new world of wine and shows restrained, dense, quality cabernet sauvignon fruit with tremendous length. The mouth feel is soft, long, fine, dense and... really quite fresh. The wine is pristine, clean and marvelously crafted. This is a joy to drink or cellar to 2020.” I think all of us can find a use for an extremely well-priced Cabernet. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price directly from the source with perfect provenance. 2004 Hay Shed Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (Estate) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Aus5430