The Cabernet Wizards of OZ! (Australia)
What was poured
In the order it was served. Quoted tasting notes are credited to their sources.
1 · 2004 Clarendon Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman
93 Vinous · 92 The Wine Advocate
“Vinous / Antonio Galloni - "Deep ruby. Exotic, floral and spicy on the nose, with powerful scents of cassis, kirsch, anise and dried flowers. Full-bodied and sweet, with a chewy, youthful texture and broad, deep red and dark fruit flavors. Lush and beautifully balanced, the cherry flavor building and sweetening on the long, velvety finish. A superb example of herb-free, fruit-driven cabernet.""The inky/ruby/purple-hued 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Brookman Vineyard exhibits classic aromas of cassis and graphite along with a well-balanced, rich, full-bodied, intense personality. One of the estate’s more forward, elegant offerings, it is best drunk during its first 12-15 years of life.”
tasting note
2 · 2002 Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley
92 The Wine Advocate
“Checking-in on some older vintages, the 2002 Cabernet is giving a deep garnet-brick color and earthy, gamey notes with an undercurrent of dried fruit and spice cake plus a whiff of dried herbs. Its structure is holding firm with crisp acid and a high level of tight-knit, fine-grained tannins. With great concentration and a long finish, it still has another 10 years+ of cellaring potential.”
The Wine Advocate
3 · 2012 Robert Oatley Finisterre Cabernet Sauvignon
94 The Australian Wine Companion · 91 Wine Enthusiast
“Pure, medium-weight, well-powered fruit bearing a coat of cedary, smoky, slinky oak. Balance feels off at first but as it rests in the glass it (relatively) quickly sets itself to rights. Bay leaf, peppercorn, blackcurrant and redcurrant. Long finish, complete with ultra fine tannin.""Well oaked, showing plenty of espresso-like char and brown sugar on the nose, this is a full-bodied, creamy-textured Cabernet. Mocha and caramel flavors continue the theme, backed by just enough cassis fruit. Drink now–2025.”
tasting note
4 · 2012 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
95 The Australian Wine Companion · 91 Wine Enthusiast
“Estate-grown, coming from the Dead Morris, Walker and Quarry Vineyards; it spent 20 months in French oak from top coopers. Full crimson-purple, it is a luscious, full-bodied cabernet, crammed with cassis fruit, quality oak and substantial tannins. Time is on its side, and it really needs 3-5 years before it is first approached.""This isn't Coonawarra's most elegant wine, but it certainly doesn't lack for character or concentration. Menthol, vanilla, cedar and cassis deliver plenty of flavor in this chunky, full-bodied Cabernet. Charred, mocha-like notes emerge on the long, intense finish. Drink now–2025.”
tasting note
5 · 2013 Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Miamup Margaret River
94 The Australian Wine Companion · 91 Wine Enthusiast
“Held for 18 months in French barriques. The colour is good, the varietal expression crystal clear, black olive, bay leaf and dried herbs woven thro ugh the predominant cassis fruit; the tannins are well balanced and integrated, oak likewise.""Appropriately restrained and even a bit austere, this is a firm, dusty-textured Cabernet. Vanilla, tobacco and cherry notes start things off and extend through the long finish. It offers at least a decade of aging potential at a very reasonable price.”
tasting note
6 · 2013 Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon Victoria
94 The Australian Wine Companion · 90 Wine Spectator
“Excellent crimson-purple hue; herb and bay leaf announce their presence on the bouquet, blackcurrant quickly following and taking control on the palate. A very successful Tahbilk Cabernet.""Intense and concentrated, with black walnut overtones and firm, espresso-tinged tannins complementing a mix of savory notes and underbrush and plum flavors. Complex and harmonious on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2026.”
tasting note
7 · 2013 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon
95 The Australian Wine Companion · 91 Wine Spectator
“Deep, dense crimson-purple; flooded with the swirls of cassis and dark chocolate/choc-mint flavours of McLaren Vale, alcohol no problem; oak and tannins are largely observers of what is going on around them.""Firm in texture, this savory style wraps a moderate grip of tannins around orange peel – accented black fruit and tar flavors, coming together on the focused, expressive and seductive finish. Drink now through 2020.”
tasting note
8 · 2015 Molly Dooker Cabernet Sauvignon Gigglepot
93 International Wine Report
“The 2015 'Gigglepot' is an inky colored Cabernet Sauvignon which delivers aromatics reminiscent of black olive, tar, coffee grounds, cocoa and suggestions of blackberry pie. There are deep, concenreated flavors that coat the mid palate with flavors of graphite, boysenberry pie and mocha with a slight saline streak, which grab your attention, as does the exceedingly long finish. This has lovely fruit weight and viscosity through the long finish.”
International Wine Report
How the night looked
