TN: Fraser Gallop Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I've been a fan of this wine and the sister chardonnay for over a decade now - in fact, I held a vertical tasting of both a couple of years ago: http://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.php?p=1 ... et#p160150. However, the 2018 vintage was not a part of that tasting, and I'm delighted to be tasting it now. The 2018 version is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14% alcohol.

Decanted 2 hours before service. Purple red in the glass. Dusty nose with blackcurrant, mulberry, a hint of menthol and graphite, violets, and cedary oak. The fruit is slightly to the fore, and the oak and savoury characters are not overpowering. The palate is medium weight only - this is a surprise given the quality of the vintage in Margaret River, and the power of some of the wines released from it. It's extremely well balanced, to the point where none of the elements (fruit, acid, tannins) are dominating the others.

History tells me this will develop well with age, and I know I am drinking it too young. I will probably leave it another 3-4 years before looking at another bottle.

Cheers
Allan

[I Love Shiraz]

Thanks for the note Allan. I recently purchased a six pack of this wine based on the producer and strength of this vintage in Margaret River. Sounds like a nice wine, so look forward to opening it in a few years time when it has settled down a bit.

[Waiters Friend]

A couple of years further on, it's time to open another.

It has moved along somewhat in that time. The nose is no longer dusty, and is showing violets, graphite, blackberry, mulberry, vanilla, and the dark fruits are quite prominent - if anything, are more pronounced than on previous tasting, but softening and juicy.

The palate is where the real development has occurred. It has filled out somewhat, and is approaching full bodied. Tannins are well integrated, and acid is still playing a supporting role. Medium to long finish and the wine remains in balance.

This is in a really good place now and remains mostly primary. Applying a drinping window to this depends on how you like your cabernet.

Cheers
Allan

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[I Love Shiraz]

Thanks Alan. I have a six pack of this wine. Probably time to open my first bottle, and then every 3 years thereafter. I like to drink my quality Margs Cabernets at 10-20 years old.