Capel Vale Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

[Waiters Friend]

My previous post on CV Petit Verdot will inform you of my recent trip to Capel Vale. I'm now starting to open bottles of my purchases, and providing more informed tasting notes, rather than impressions gathered at cellar door.

The back label on the wine surprisingly has little description of the wine itself, and it was only bottled a few weeks ago. It is a rich purple in colour (no crimson or red). The nose offers a heap of blackcurrant, while the palate continues this theme alongside some dusty, fine-grained tannins. It definitely displays its Margaret River origins, but without the green capsicum you might get in slightly under-ripe wines. Alcohol is a reasonable (for MR) 14%.

This was shared with a friend, who, when advised of the price ($25) was pleasantly surprised - he thought it would have been $35. It should cellar in the medium term, but I reckon will peak in 2-3. A fraction young now, but worth buying and putting away. I've done so!

Cheers

Allan

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I realised after posting on this wine in 2011, that I had cellared them and forgotten about them. Time for another look .....

Time has served this wine well. Cassis, a hint of tobacco and dusty oak has come into balance. The fine grained tannins support the palate and it is a medium bodied wine with finesse rather than power. No single element is dominating.

I'm glad I waited. It will be interesting to see how this develops further.

Cheers

Allan

[Mahmoud Ali]

Nice to see patience rewarded, even if it's only been a couple of years. Decent to good Cabernet is always a prime candidate for longevity.

Mahmoud.

[via collins]

G'day Allan,

Thanks for the note. A good reminder to invest in a little more MR cabernet than I do.

Look forward to the next update.....and the next brilliant MR vintage!

cheers,

[conformistpete]

G'day Allan,

.....and the next brilliant MR vintage!

cheers,

Going on the last 10 years you wont have to wait long for another great vintage. 2006 was disappointing.. and uhhh that's all I can recall. MR vineyards even managed to escape the worst of the fires a few years ago, however other areas sadly did not.

[Waiters Friend]

You guys are right about MR vintages of, well, most of the last 10 years. My 2004s and 2005s are still looking good (although running out) and it isnow apparent to me that I also have not invested enough in MR reds 2007-11. Chardonnay, on the other hand, is well represented.

2010 and 2011 look to be the pick (andhave the advantage of being currently and freely available). Is that the consensus?

Cheers

Allan

[conformistpete]

I am probably the other way, more Cabernet than Chardonnay. Hardly enough of either.

[via collins]

Is that the consensus?

I don't have enough personal experience with 10s/11s as yet, using Voyager Estate as a chardonnay guideline, I'm very much enjoying 07/08s at present, can't recall about 09s but vaguely recall very good, and yeah, the critical consensus is very much back up the truck with regards to 10/11. I've no doubt that's sound advice.

[Hacker]

2010 and 2011 look to be the pick (andhave the advantage of being currently and freely available). Is that the consensus?

Cheers

Allan

Hi Allan, when I was at the Langtons tasting I spoke to the Moss Wood guys and they nominated 2010 and 2012 as the outstanding vintages of the past few years, with 2011 not too shabby. Heck, you just can't go wrong! These comments related to Cabernets moreso then chardy though.

So many great names around like Voyager Woodlands Cullen and more

Cheers
David

[Waiters Friend]

G'day.

An update on this wine, having not opened one since, well, the last time. It has developed somewhat, with my initial impressions being that it has filled out a bit.

Then I re-read my tasting notes from 2011 "It is a rich purple in colour (no crimson or red). The nose offers a heap of blackcurrant, while the palate continues this theme alongside some dusty, fine-grained tannins. It definitely displays its Margaret River origins, but without the green capsicum you might get in slightly under-ripe wines".

And a year ago "Time has served this wine well. Cassis, a hint of tobacco and dusty oak has come into balance. The fine grained tannins support the palate and it is a medium bodied wine with finesse rather than power. No single element is dominating."

The 'year ago' tasting note is still pretty accurate, although it has definitely fattened up a bit (haven't we all? ). A fuller palate, especially, and this remains a well balanced, satisfying cabernet.

Time to look at the 2008s, I think. This will hold for a while.

Cheers
Allan

[daz]

Hadn't bought any Cullen Diana Madeline for years but couldn't resist four bottles of 2012 at a good price. Got a couple of bottles of Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 2012, also at a good price, to complete the 6pk. Hopefully, the last bottle of DM 2001 won't be TCA affected as was the last I tasted some years ago.

[Waiters Friend]

Hadn't bought any Cullen Diana Madeline for years but couldn't resist four bottles of 2012 at a good price. Got a couple of bottles of Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 2012, also at a good price, to complete the 6pk. Hopefully, the last bottle of DM 2001 won't be TCA affected as was the last I tasted some years ago.

The DM 2012 is a good choice, Daz. Stunning wine.

[Waiters Friend]

A final look at this wine (aka "my last bottle"). I can't believe I left this another 4 years.

This has lightened, and is heading towards crimson in colour. Fruit has diminished somewhat on the nose, although the blackcurrant is still to the fore. Oak has totally integrated, on the nose and on the palate, although there is still tannic grip. There's still whiffs of tobacco, and some dried oregano.

The palate is silky, with the developed fruit sliding over the tongue. Acid is still giving some freshness, and the wine is medium weight only. Good finish courtesy of the acid, and not "claggy" at all.

Drink now - it's at its peak or just starting to decline. Elegance rather than power.

It's been interesting to watch (and record) the development over time, of what is a mid-priced wine in the Capel Vale portfolio.

Cheers
Allan