11 minute read
Tasting Bench: Cabernet & Cabernet Blends
Tasting Bench
CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND BLENDS
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Considered by many as the great red variety, not just for its role in Bordeaux, but also thanks to examples such as Coonawarra and Margaret River here, Napa in California and many other districts. Cabernet sauvignon once ruled unchallenged in this country but has been placed into the shade by the emergence of shiraz as our global superstar. Cabernet offers flavours such as tobacco leaf, cedar, blackberry, dark fruits and much more. It is high in tannin, has considerable acidity, dense make-up and can offer a wine the ideal basis for structure. It is very often blended with other Bordeaux varieties, such as cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot, but in Australia, it is part of the famous Aussie blend of cabernet and shiraz, and more recently, the cabernet and malbec blend, which is growing in popularity with winemakers.
ANNA MANTCHAKIDI DIPWSET National Sales Support, Taylors Wines
As Taylors Wines’ National Sales Support, Anna is charged with coordinating the Clare Valley winery’s growing sales team nationwide. Her interest in wine was sparked during her university days and has taken her on a journey across the industry, primarily in sales. She currently spends her time between the office and time in the trade as a Brand Ambassador and educator.
BENJAMIN HASKO MS Director, Luxury Beverage Group CHARLES HARGRAVE Owner, First Growth Wines
Ben became the world’s 236th Master Sommelier in October 2016 and received the inaugural Dom Ruinart Cup for completing the examination on his first attempt. While managing Luxury Beverage Group’s portfolio of around 60 producers, Ben is also responsible for wine education and training, and consults on wine list development. Charles Hargrave began his career in 1973 as a vineyard employee and then cellar hand, encouraging him to study winemaking at Roseworthy. From there, he climbed the ranks of reputable South Australian wineries, including time with Treasury Wine Estates, until finding retirement and his side-hobby with First Growth Wines in Sydney.
CLIVE HARTLEY Director, Sydney Wine Academy
Educator Clive Hartley has been involved in selling and promoting the virtues of wine for over 30 years, both in the UK and Australia. He is the Director of Sydney Wine Academy, as well as the author of the Australian Wine Guide. Clive is also an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Sommeliers Association and a life member of the Wine Communicators of Australia.
KATI VAINIONPÄÄ DIPWSET Education Manager – Asia Pacific, Wine Australia
Kati’s fascination with wine began at a young age when she discovered the joys of sampling (and spitting!) different wine varietals. Her passion led her to complete a Bachelor in Hospitality Management at home in Finland, before travelling overseas. Today, Kati works for Wine Australia in Sydney, and recently completed the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits.
MICHAEL MCINTOSH Fine Wine Brand Ambassador, Accolade Wines
Michael joined Accolade Wines’ on-premise team in 2016 and progressed to the Fine Wine Brand Ambassador role late last year. Prior to this, he had held diverse roles across the wine and hospitality industries, including General Manager of the Sydney International Wine Competition. He was also a successful sommelier, curating both classic and contemporary wine programs in Australia and New Zealand.
NEIL HADLEY MW Export Manager, Taylors Wines
Neil’s career in fine wine began in the early 80s as a wine retailer in England. Determined to understand the wine shelves of Lay & Wheeler, Neil dove straight into WSET training, later moving on to become one of the youngest members initiated as a prestigious Master of Wine in 1993. After a visit to Australia in the late 80s, he decided Sydney would become home. He has since gone on to work for several reputable wine businesses, most recently, Taylors Wines.
TRAVIS FULLER Business Manager – Fine Wine, Accolade Wines
Travis sees his role in the wine industry as much as a hobby as it is work. This passion has led him to gain 24 years of experience with some of Australia’s best-known wine brands including Penfolds, [yellow tail] and Hardys. Coupled with an interest in travel, Travis is a regular senior judge at local and international wine shows, and is responsible for Accolade Wines’ premium wine portfolio covering 38 brands.
SA & WA
2013 Hardys Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $129.99 Region: Coonawarra & Margaret River Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: Dark body and crimson rim; perfumed menthol nose with a palate of rich berries and notes of chocolate; finishes with a strong and ripe flavour of oak. Its strict structure creates an elegant balance.
SA | Coonawarra
2015 Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $24.99 Distributor: Pernod Ricard Australia Judges’ comments: Nose of peppermint and blackcurrant; a juicy body with notes of ripening fruit, fine spices and herbs. Balanced yet complex, with length and depth.
2014 Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $35.00 Distributor: Samuel Smith & Son Judges’ comments: A bright brick red rim with mid-dark body; a very attractive nose of both robust leather and cedar wood; and a fairly lean body with a moderately strong structure that creates a satisfying, mid-long finish.
2015 The Lindsay Collection The Whaler Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $43.00 Distributor: Inglewood Wine Merchants Judges’ comments: Dark and brooding; a clean nose full of herbs, red berries and coffee; the palate is juicy with traces of dark berries and plums, plus distinctive flavours of milk chocolate, tobacco and clove.
2016 Hardys HRB Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $34.99 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: A good example of a quality cabernet from Coonawarra. A generous nose of light menthol and cedar, plus a hint of coffee; on the palate there are balanced tannins and a generous ripeness.
2015 Hardys Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $49.92 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: Mid-dark body; the aroma is a combination of strong blackcurrant, spice, light tobacco and musk; the palate is well-structured with flavours of black olives, light herbs and velvety, ripe berries. An excellent expression of the Coonawarra region, with its soft finish, solid structure and length.
2014 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $49.95 Distributor: Fesq & Company Judges’ comments: Reserved with excellent balance and length; the nose is full of elegant florals, some musk, minerals, a hint of clay and some black olive. A welcoming style with a calm finish.
2015 Brands Laira 171 Cabernet
RRP: $80.00 Distributor: Casella Family Brands Judges’ comments: A bold style of cabernet dominated by oak and earthy tones. It has a deep red body; warm aromas of wood and clay; and a palate of rich fruits, big oak and vanilla.
2013 Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $60.00 Distributor: Samuel Smith & Son Judges’ comments: An impressive expression built to last. Mid-deep core; a complex nose of meat, Asian herbs, olives and a slight hint of tomato leaf; balanced palate with a firm but non-aggressive finish of subtle spice and rich oak.
2015 Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $149.99 Distributor: Treasury Wine Estates Judges’ comments: Mid-deep red body; rich and lean nose of blackberry; mediumbodied with dark fruit, earthy notes and oak; well-structured with long length and good complexity.
RRP: $79.99 Distributor: Treasury Wine Estates Judges’ comments: Dark crimson rim with a deeper body; a rich but balanced nose of fruit; a body of dark plums, blackcurrant leaves and dark chocolate; earthy and savoury tones with a well-structured and balanced, youthful palate.
Coonawarra & Clare Valley
2015 Taylors Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $30.00 Distributor: Taylors Wines Judges’ comments: Mid-dark body; nose of peppermint and oak; intense palate of cool mint, juicy fruit and a little leaf; rich and complex structure with influences of oak and ripe fruit.
Clare Valley
2015 O’Leary Walker Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $25.00 Distributor: Negociants Australia Judges’ comments: Full, dark core and tight crimson rim; nose of minerals and tobacco with depth and great appeal; a firm structure with undertones of juicy dark fruits, full of complexity and character, leading to a full finish and long length.
2015 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $70.00 Distributor: Taylors Wines Judges’ comments: Mid-deep core and brick red rim; nose of slight menthol with a background of cedar and cassis; fruit-forward and juicy with hints of cedar oak; well structured. Excellent example of a cabernet from Clare Valley.
2010 Grant Burge Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $92.00 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: This wine is displaying beautiful, aged toasty notes and pretty fruit characters on the nose; the palate is well balanced with cassis, herbal and savoury notes, and good tannins. This will age gracefully.
Eden Valley
RRP: $60.00 Distributor: Mezzanine Wine Judges’ comments: A nose of ripe berries and tannin combine with a body of blackcurrant to create a wonderful wine with cool and elegant undertones. A perfect example of a cabernet from Eden Valley.
2017 ArtWine The Good Life Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $30.00 Distributor: XWINEandZ (NSW), 128 Trading Company (Northern NSW/QLD), Distinctive Vintners (WA), Artwine (SA, VIC) Judges’ comments: Ruby and crimson hues; intense nose of sweet oak, red and black fruit, and vanilla; a plush palate of berries and oak; well-structured to be approachable and elegant.
2012 Taylors The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $200.00 Distributor: Taylors Wines Judges’ comments: Crimson rim with a mid-full deep body; complex body of black olives and chocolate with a layered palate; strong nose of dark fruits and cedar; youthful with a lovely length.
McLaren Vale
2016 Pertaringa Rifle & Hunt Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $40.00 Distributor: The Wine Company (QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS), Porter & Co. (SA) Judges’ comments: This wine is lovely with its velvety texture and rich nose of red and black fruits; a body of oak, spices and deep tannin; it has excellent balance and length.
Adelaide Hills
2012 Paracombe Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $23.00 Distributor: Inglewood Wine Merchants Judges’ comments: Deep crimson colour; a pronounced cabernet nose with hints of herbs and a stronger presence of cassis; full body of ripening fruit and tannin with structured acid, combining to make a welcoming drink.
Barossa
2016 Leasingham Classic Clare Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $69.99 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: Near black core, deep ruby and purple legs; aroma of chocolate and cedar; firm but ripe tannins with a generous chocolate back-drop; well-balanced and great length; firm finish.
2015 St Hallett The Reward Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $34.99 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: Crimson body; essences of cassis, blueberries and blackcurrant; linear palate with subtle spice; body of lovely plums and wild berries; a great example of a product of the Barossa Valley with elegance and structure.
2013 Shingleback D Block Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $55.00 Distributor: Muster Wine & Spirit (SA), Domaines & Vineyards (WA), Shingleback Wine (all other states) Judges’ comments: A nose of red and black berries, plus a hint of leaf that makes this a prime example of cabernet from the McLaren Vale. A palate of oak, spices and fine tannins.
2016 K1 by Geoff Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $45 Distributor: The Wine Company (QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS), Porter & Co. (SA) Judges’ comments: Deep red core; aroma of beautiful floral notes, plus cedar and damson fruit; a dense palate of dark chocolate, berries and fine tannins; great length and structure create an excellent example of wine from Adelaide Hills.
WA | Margaret River
2016 Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $27.90 Distributor: Samuel Smith & Son Judges’ comments: This wine begins with a concentrated black fruit jamyness, plus mint and a touch of eucalyptus. The palate has denser dark fruits and mocha notes, with a little liquorice. Oak drives firm, round tannin. Medium acidity and a long finish.
VIC | Yarra Valley
2015 Yering Station Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $40.00 Distributor: Nelson Wine Company (VIC, NSW, QLD), David Mullen Wine Agency (WA), Prime Wines (SA) Judges’ comments: On the nose, the wine has scents of anise, cedar oak and spice. An elegant mouthfeel holds flavours of dark berries, coffee and spice, plus dry, firm tannins and a lengthy finish.
2014 Ringbolt 21 Bariques Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $37.90 Distributor: Samuel Smith & Son Judges’ comments: Aromas of strawberry and raspberry precede a juicy, soft palate of red fruits, pepper and dried herbs. Tannin is firm and dry, and the finish is of a medium length.
NSW | Hilltops
2014 Moppity Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $80.00 Distributor: Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants (NSW), Icon Beverages (ACT), Westwood Wines (VIC) Judges’ comments: Scents of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and strawberry; to taste, there is a pleasant balance between fruit, dark coffee and chocolate, and cedar-like tannin. This wine has a long and lovely finish.
2014 Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon
RRP: $86.99 Distributor: Accolade Wines Judges’ comments: Slight reductive notes blow off to reveal stewed fruits. This big wine has notes of dark fruits, cedar, tobacco and pencil shavings.
Cabernet Blends | Clare Valley
Cabernet Malbec
RRP: $45.00 Distributor: Winestock (NSW), Cuttings Wine (QLD), Prime Wines SA (SA), Santé Wines (TAS, VIC), David Mullen (WA) Judges’ comments: Floral and fruity aromas of blueberry, plus a whiff of menthol on the nose. This wine has a firm structure, with powdery tannin and flavours of plush fruit. Notes of spice add to the complexity.
