Chateau Labegorce Cru bourgeois
Labegorce is found just north of the town of Margaux, opposite Chateau Lascombes. It produces wines that are often favourably compared to its neighbouring classified Margaux Growths, but available for considerably less of an investment. Its instantly recognisable and iconic chateau was constructed in 1821, and the modern estate was purchased by Hubert Perrodo in 1989, now managed by his daughter Nathalie. The wine is typically made up of at least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by slightly less Merlot and a small balance of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soils here are primarily sandy gravel with small amounts of limestone.
Chateau Prieure-Lichine 4me cru classe
Wills Domain Cuvee d' Elevage Cabernet
The 2014 Cuvee d'Elevage Cabernet is an outstanding expression of a northern Margaret River Cabernet. Only the best fruit parcels combined with finest French oak lead to a perfumed bouquet of Cassis, ripe berries and cedar. The complex palate shows ripe and silky tannins, pure fruit intensity with red berries and cassis. Its finely structured with long lasting finish of cigar box and vanilla. Drink now or until 2028.
D'arenberg Wines The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon
The rich and full-bodied Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon, named after a neighbouring road, is based on "parent of the Reynell Clone" material, renowned for its low yield, violet blackcurrant aromas and naturally high acidity. This is a classic "best-of-vintage" Australian-style Cabernet Sauvignon, with a great reputation for aging. Typically it shows intense mulberry, violet, cedar aromas with rich cassis, plum, dark chocolate flavours, muscular tannins and underlying savoury oak. After vinification in headed-down open fermenters, fermentation is completed in barrel. 18 months maturation in new and old French oak follows. Older wines may show a touch of earthy, sage, mint characters.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon, Coal River Valley Tasmania
Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon, which also includes a small percentage of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is a foil to the more opulent mainland styles. Violets, roses and blackcurrants pervade through the wine like an English country garden. The tannins are especially fine grained and there is a beautiful freshness and mineral quality on the palate. The parcels of fruit are batch vinified in stainless steel tanks before maturation in 100% new oak for between two and three years.
Shiraz
This wonderfully elegant Shiraz shows intense, pristine, blackberry fruit and ripe, silky tannins. It almost has a Pinot Noir elegance to it and, luckily, the quality of future vintages will only be getting better too as Voyager's new clones come on line.
Curtis Cavaliere McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine is gorgeously fruited and fragrant on the nose showing dark fruit richness with smoked game, vanilla, chocolate tart and cedar characters. The palate is concentrated and wonderfully weighted, delivering fabulous fruit intensity and stylish oak infusion, backed by fine chalky tannins, finishing superbly long and sturdy. At its best: now to 2025.
Howard Park Margaret River Chardonnay
The palate exudes fleshy primary fruits, layered with nutmeal, lemon butter and brioche. A chalky, mineral texture and fresh citrus acidity continues the bounce.
Fire Gully Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Seductive from the first sniff. Certainly got me interested. Remarkably soft and supple Cabernet with almost cashmere fine tannins and an effortlessly smooth and long palate structure. Slightly chalky tannins add some balance and the follow though to the finish is extravagant and stylish.
