Tasting Bench
CABERNET SAUVIGNON TASTED 6TH MAY AT BIBO WINE BAR, DOUBLE BAY SYDNEY
IN THIS EDITION WE TAKE A LOOK AT CABERNET SAUVIGNON, A GRAPE VARIETY LONG APPRECIATED FOR ITS AGE WORTHY, SEDUCTIVE STYLES MADE FAMOUS BY THE BORDEAUX CHATEAUX FROM WHERE IT ORIGINATES. CAB SAV IS THE MOST PLANTED GRAPE VARIETY IN THE WORLD WITH 840,000 ACRES COVERING 5% OF ALL VINEYARD AREA ON THE PLANET. WITH WINEMAKERS THE WORLD OVERLOOKING TO RECREATE, OR PAY HOMAGE TO THE CLASSIC BORDEAUX WINES, YOU THE US WITH THEIR BLOCK BUSTER PARKER FRIENDLY MONSTER WINES OF THE 1990’S, ALL EXTRACTION, NEW OAK AND ALCOHOL, TO AFFORDABLE SUPERMARKET DROPS FROM CHILE, THE COUNTRY WITH THE MOST VINEYARD AREA DEDICATED TO THE VARIETY, 20%. HOWEVER, THIS OFTEN HAILED VARIETY HAS FALLEN OUT OF FAVOUR IN RECENT YEARS, WITH A MOVE TO MORE IMMEDIATE DRINKING STYLES AND VARIETIES HAS CAB SAV BEEN LEFT ON THE SHELF? WE TOOK A LOOK AT 130 SAMPLES FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA TO SEE HOW OUR CABS WERE FAIRING, ARE THEY SHOWING THEIR REGIONAL ORIGINS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DO THESE WINES STILL RESONATE WITH THE CONSUMER?
PANEL TRAVIS FULLER Kilikanoon Wines GM
CHARLIE SIMPSON Virtuous Vines
LOUELLA MATHEWS Head Sommelier Bibo Wine Bar
JACK GLOVER Marketing Director ANZ Accolade Wines
MICHAEL MCINTOSH Fine Wine Brand Ambassador Accolade Wines
DAVID MESSUM Winemaker/Marketer Born & Raised
62 drinks trade
WRAP UP
A huge array of wines on show, many showing the growing conditions of their origin. The standout wines, and many supporting silvers were all excellent. The top wines showed really world class poise and winemaking and unsurprisingly command a premium price but there was value to be found in at the other end of the price spectrum, you just needed to look a little harder. The trend to the generic dry red was disappointing, getting the balance on picking and natural acidity right would transform many of these wines without the need to pick with greenness still in the flavour profile. However, the mood was upbeat, the Australian Cabernet game is still strong.
TOP SCORING WINES Wine # 2 11 16 7 12 8
Score 97 96 95 95 95 95
OF NOTE: 14 2 8B
90 90 92
Wine Yarra Yering Dry Red 1 2019 (Blend) $120 - WINNER Vasse Felix Estate Label 2018 RR $50 Highbank Family Reserve 2014 $130 Rob Dolan ‘Signature Series’ 2017 Yarra $80 Snake & Herring The Distance 2019 RRP $90 Yarra Yering Agincourt 2019 $105
Patrick Methode Cab Nouveau $32 Vasse Felix Filius 2019 RRP $28 Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa 2019 $25
