TN '04 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon

[John #11]

2004 was a sensational year in the Coonawarra.
Heaps of producers have produced lovely Cabernets, including Majella, Wynns, Mildara, Katnook, Rymill and Hollick.

But <THIS> one is the grandaddy of them all.

Dark crimson, with a fifth of blackness.
Luscious aromas of black berries, creme de Cassis, plums, cedary oak, and masses of violets.
Medium-to full-bodied, mouthfilling ripe rich fruit, masses of it, concentrated, not stewed, black berries, plums, sweet cedar and vanilla oak, sensually smooth tannins way ahead of its age, for such a young cabernet. Velvety smooth in the mouth, and a long lasting fruity finish. Just a tiny herbal element.

This is just beautiful, and left me wanting more and more and more.

The best '04 Coonawarra Cabernet by far.

95+/100

Screwcap
Alcohol 14.5% (but delicious)
Drink 2007-2020
sub $30 if you shop around.

#11

[Red Bigot]

The best '04 Coonawarra Cabernet by far.

#11

Maybe you left of ", so far"?

Yeah, it's very good (I've tried it twice and bought 6) and good value, but I've still not had a 2004 Cab that comes close to the Balnaves The Tally 2004. And there are a lot of 2004 Coonawarra cabs yet to be released...

[John #11]

The best '04 Coonawarra Cabernet by far.

#11

Maybe you left of ", so far"?

Yeah, it's very good (I've tried it twice and bought 6) and good value, but I've still not had a 2004 Cab that comes close to the Balnaves The Tally 2004. And there are a lot of 2004 Coonawarra cabs yet to be released...

Point taken.
The best $30 '04 Coonawarra Cabernet so far.....

[Daryl Douglas]

The best '04 Coonawarra Cabernet by far.

#11

Maybe you left of ", so far"?

Yeah, it's very good (I've tried it twice and bought 6) and good value, but I've still not had a 2004 Cab that comes close to the Balnaves The Tally 2004. And there are a lot of 2004 Coonawarra cabs yet to be released...

The Tally 04 seems to be pretty much sold out, from a brief look around, but I'm not surprised from all the reports/ads I've seen. The only varietal 04 Coona Cab I've tried is the Zema. GW rates it not much lower than the Balnaves but in a different style. I like the style of it and picked up a few bottles locally that were still on the shelf, for $18.95. Left the remaining 01s on the shelf. Outstanding value qpr and to me significantly better than the BL 03 but have yet to try the BL 04.

[Julio]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions. The 2004 Cullen Diana Madeline and the 2004 Vasse Felix Cabernet are both great wines and built for the long haul. Can't wait to try the Woodlands, Leeuwin, and Brookland Valley 2004 Cabernets.

[n4sir]

The best '04 Coonawarra Cabernet by far.

#11

Maybe you left of ", so far"?

Yeah, it's very good (I've tried it twice and bought 6) and good value, but I've still not had a 2004 Cab that comes close to the Balnaves The Tally 2004. And there are a lot of 2004 Coonawarra cabs yet to be released...

I would have liked to have seen the Majella in the Blacktongues blind Super Cabernet tasting last year where it would have gone against it head-to-head. Unfortunately it was in the tasting before (where it cleaned up, setting the highest aggregate positive votes score anyone there can ever remember).

It's funny now, but I remember saying to one of the BTs walking out of the Super Cabernet tasting I thought the Majella could have seriously kicked the crap out of the majority if not all of them if it was in. It seems a little crass to have said that now, although it did win about seven trophies on the show circuit last year (and I think a few of those would have been in direct competition against The Tally).

Cheers,
Ian

[Daryl Douglas]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions. The 2004 Cullen Diana Madeline and the 2004 Vasse Felix Cabernet are both great wines and built for the long haul. Can't wait to try the Woodlands, Leeuwin, and Brookland Valley 2004 Cabernets.

Haven't tried any MR 04s yet but got a couple of screwcapped DM 04. If my liver lasts long enough I may try one in about 2014.

[Red Bigot]

The Tally 04 seems to be pretty much sold out, from a brief look around, but I'm not surprised from all the reports/ads I've seen.

At lease 5 good e-tailers still have it at just under $80...

Also worth checking out is the Punters Corner Sovereign Reserve Cabernet 2004, $59.50 ex-winery, also made by Peter Bissell, it was one of the standout cabernets at Wine Oz last year. Be careful of their on-line order form though, it doesn't look like it's secured.

[GRB]

Just finished a bottle of 04 BL over the last 2 nights and it is a very nice wine for the price and I think much better than the 03. But the Majella is head and shoulders above it, I originally had 6 of these and went and got another 6 which I don't often do over $20. Haven't tried the Tally yet but that is probably a good thing as it is up there price wise for me. Anyone who hasn't tried the Majella should do themselves a favour and try it. I am yet to find anyone who hasn't raved about it let alone not like it.

[Bill]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions. The 2004 Cullen Diana Madeline and the 2004 Vasse Felix Cabernet are both great wines and built for the long haul. Can't wait to try the Woodlands, Leeuwin, and Brookland Valley 2004 Cabernets.

the 04 Zema was heaps better than the 04 Vasse Felix when I tried them both side by side recently, particularly after they were both open for 24hrs where the Zema was still singing but the Vasse Felix was starting to fall apart. Zema is also 2/3rds the price, so my choice was clear!


Bill

[707]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions.

I've had the same thought so I'm planning five from each region at a Blacktongues tasting in the next couple of months.

I've left the selection and sourcing of the Margaret River Cabs to someone else, I'll grab the Coonawarras. At this stage I'm thinking Majella, Bowen, Zema, Balnaves, Katnook, Flints, Ladbroke Grove.

Watch this space!

[John #11]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions.

I've had the same thought so I'm planning five from each region at a Blacktongues tasting in the next couple of months.

I've left the selection and sourcing of the Margaret River Cabs to someone else, I'll grab the Coonawarras. At this stage I'm thinking Majella, Bowen, Zema, Balnaves, Katnook, Flints, Ladbroke Grove.

Watch this space!

You can safely skip the Bowen.

[Danny]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions.

I've had the same thought so I'm planning five from each region at a Blacktongues tasting in the next couple of months.

I've left the selection and sourcing of the Margaret River Cabs to someone else, I'll grab the Coonawarras. At this stage I'm thinking Majella, Bowen, Zema, Balnaves, Katnook, Flints, Ladbroke Grove.

Watch this space!

You'd be absolutely mad not to include the Penley Phoenix in that set as far as I'm concerned. Opened another 04 on the weekend and was reminded just how good this wine is, especially at under $20. We've reviewed both the Majella and the Penley on http://wineweek.com.au in the last 5 weeks, and I think the Penley stands up incredibly well considering it is 2/3rd the price of the Majella.

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[n4sir]

Margaret River vs Coonawarra 2004 cabernets will be interesting. It seems it was an outstanding vintage for both regions.

I've had the same thought so I'm planning five from each region at a Blacktongues tasting in the next couple of months.

I've left the selection and sourcing of the Margaret River Cabs to someone else, I'll grab the Coonawarras. At this stage I'm thinking Majella, Bowen, Zema, Balnaves, Katnook, Flints, Ladbroke Grove.

Watch this space!

You'd be absolutely mad not to include the Penley Phoenix in that set as far as I'm concerned. Opened another 04 on the weekend and was reminded just how good this wine is, especially at under $20. We've reviewed both the Majella and the Penley on http://wineweek.com.au in the last 5 weeks, and I think the Penley stands up incredibly well considering it is 2/3rd the price of the Majella.

We tried it early last year in a blind tasting and many said it was very ordinary at best, while I thought it was pretty awful:
http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=4898

2004 Penley Estate Phoenix Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon $16: Dark to inky purple. Incredibly ripe fruit, like the St. Hugo turned up a big notch with some raisin characters and even more licorice. There’s no way I could pick this as a Coonawarra by the palate, hell I was having a hard time telling it was a Cabernet at all; those licorice characters and slightly hot alcohol suggest the wine has been forced, even if the finish was good.

My ranking: 9th place
Panel ranking: 7th place

Votes: 1 most, 0 second & third, 0 least preferred

I tried it again a couple of months later I was equally uninspired by that bottle which was similarly over-ripe and over-oaked, dirty, hot as hell and and lacking any regional or Cabernet qualities. Going by many other reviews on the forums I'm far from alone in thinking this either.

Attila's been a fan of it though, so maybe we scored a dud batch - that said I'd still be very surprised if it would be good enough to fit in the tasting 707's putting together.

Cheers,
Ian

[Ollie]

Just heard from my supplier in the UK that they are not going to have the Majella '04 until November!!

Cheers
Ollie

[Daryl Douglas]

I've tried a couple of vintages of Phoenix and both have been underwhelming IMO.

daz

[wolf]

We were recently in Coonawarra tasting, and the Majella is a great wine. Balnaves, Zema, Wynns and Punters Corner all made fantastic cabs in 04 too. To me, the Balnaves Cab (not the Tally, can't afford it) was the best of the lot, with Zema the best value.

The only Marg River cab I have tried from 04 is the Vasse Felix which was very good, but maybe not built for 10+ yrs like the Coonawarras.

Just my 2c.

[ChrisV]

I bought a bottle of the 04 Majella today on the strength of this thread, so if it's no good, you lot are going to pay...

I also have a bottle of The Tally in the cellar, also bought on spec.... Will be leaving that alone for a few years though.

[Bill]

You'd be absolutely mad not to include the Penley Phoenix in that set as far as I'm concerned. Opened another 04 on the weekend and was reminded just how good this wine is, especially at under $20. We've reviewed both the Majella and the Penley on http://wineweek.com.au in the last 5 weeks, and I think the Penley stands up incredibly well considering it is 2/3rd the price of the Majella.

No, I must agree with n4sir on this one. I wasn't too fussed on the 04 Phoenix at all. The 03 wasn't too bad from memory, but not the 04. And for a couple of bucks extra you can get the Zema, which is in an entirely different league.


Bill

[Daryl Douglas]

You'd be absolutely mad not to include the Penley Phoenix in that set as far as I'm concerned. Opened another 04 on the weekend and was reminded just how good this wine is, especially at under $20. We've reviewed both the Majella and the Penley on http://wineweek.com.au in the last 5 weeks, and I think the Penley stands up incredibly well considering it is 2/3rd the price of the Majella.

No, I must agree with n4sir on this one. I wasn't too fussed on the 04 Phoenix at all. The 03 wasn't too bad from memory, but not the 04. And for a couple of bucks extra you can get the Zema, which is in an entirely different league.


Bill

I've just tried my 2nd Zema 04 just to make sure that it's as good as I thought the 1st bottle was.........it is. Thinking of getting another 3 bottles to add to the 3 I've already put aside so they'll safely age a bit more. Not tried the Majella but for $10 less I'll remain happy enough with the Zema. Great value!

daz

[Danny]

You'd be absolutely mad not to include the Penley Phoenix in that set as far as I'm concerned. Opened another 04 on the weekend and was reminded just how good this wine is, especially at under $20. We've reviewed both the Majella and the Penley on http://wineweek.com.au in the last 5 weeks, and I think the Penley stands up incredibly well considering it is 2/3rd the price of the Majella.

No, I must agree with n4sir on this one. I wasn't too fussed on the 04 Phoenix at all. The 03 wasn't too bad from memory, but not the 04. And for a couple of bucks extra you can get the Zema, which is in an entirely different league.


Bill

I've got a different read on that. Personally I think the 04 is better than the 03 was at the same time. I did a bit of back reading on the weekend and Halliday rated the 03 at 90 points, while this year he has rated the 04 at 94. He's also rated the Majella ($10+ more) at 94.

I know it comes down to personal tastes sometimes, and bottling variations and so on, but I think this wine is great and deserves another go perhaps by those who have found it less than satisfactory.

I haven't had one of the 04 Zema's yet. I'll put that on my "must do" list. The 02's I had were pretty good if I remember correctly.

[Red Bigot]

I know it comes down to personal tastes sometimes, and bottling variations and so on, but I think this wine is great and deserves another go perhaps by those who have found it less than satisfactory.

I haven't had one of the 04 Zema's yet. I'll put that on my "must do" list. The 02's I had were pretty good if I remember correctly.

Danny, it ALWAYS comes down to personal taste, bottle/batch variations just throw in a confusing element. In the current market there are so many wines to try that one that fails to impress often gets only one chance, there is no real reason to go back and try another unless the problem was cork taint or random oxidation.

IMO, Zema 02 cabernet was a fair attempt from a very tough vintage, but still not a very good wine and not close to being a buy for my cellar, if you liked the 02 your should be ecstatic over the 04.

[Danny]

I know it comes down to personal tastes sometimes, and bottling variations and so on, but I think this wine is great and deserves another go perhaps by those who have found it less than satisfactory.

I haven't had one of the 04 Zema's yet. I'll put that on my "must do" list. The 02's I had were pretty good if I remember correctly.

Danny, it ALWAYS comes down to personal taste, bottle/batch variations just throw in a confusing element. In the current market there are so many wines to try that one that fails to impress often gets only one chance, there is no real reason to go back and try another unless the problem was cork taint or random oxidation.

IMO, Zema 02 cabernet was a fair attempt from a very tough vintage, but still not a very good wine and not close to being a buy for my cellar, if you liked the 02 your should be ecstatic over the 04.

I agree with these statements. I guess my point was to try and suggest that those who have talked down the 04 Phoenix from Penley can't expect me to agree... and for me to do so in the nicest possible manner. The bottle I opened weekend last was really really good, especially for a sub $20 purchase.

And I will say I chose my words very carefully : "pretty good" is a step under "great", which is under "excellent" and so on. In another life I have collected both comic books and AFL trading cards... Pretty (or Very to use the trading card grading) Good equates to about an 85 score (my assumption)... no manufacturers faults, but is showing signs that it is not at its best.

To continue the analogy I would rate the 04 Penley Phoenix as "excellent" - ie a step under "mint" and "near mint". And personally certainly the equal of the Majella in almost every regard, and better than it in terms of value for money.

I also agree that there are SOOO many wines to try (at good prices) that hitting the mark first time is pretty important. It was one of the reasons why Brad & myself started our wineweek video tips, because for non wine buffs there are a huge amount of choices, and only so much information. We hope that people will continue to try a variety of wines, rather than drinking Jamiesons Run and Queen Adelaide every time they visit a bottle shop.

[Red Bigot]

To continue the analogy I would rate the 04 Penley Phoenix as "excellent" - ie a step under "mint" and "near mint". And personally certainly the equal of the Majella in almost every regard, and better than it in terms of value for money.

It's good to have some basis for comparing preferences, in May 2006 in a single blind tasting I ranked the Phoenix 2004 behind a $12 Preece Central victorian cabernet 04 and a $20+ Longview Adelaide Hills cabernet 04 and it didn't come close to a buy rating for me, neither did the other two for that matter. On this one I have to agree with the detractors.

FWIW, regarding Halliday scores, I automatically deduct 3-5 pts these days, I think he's exceedingly generous on many wines.

[ChrisV]

I opened my bottle of the Majella the other night. Great stuff, although I still can't see why everyone raves about Coonawarra (in general I much prefer Margaret River, among other regions). Also felt it could have done with a good 5-10 years in the cellar. I'll probably buy another bottle and give it exactly that.

[Alan Rath]

Can someone give me an idea about the oak levels on the 04 Majella? I bought in to a few bottles of vintages 98-01 (relatively affordable up here in the States), but so far have found the wines to have too much oak for my tastes. Is the 04 any different?

Thanks,
Alan

[Daryl Douglas]

Can someone give me an idea about the oak levels on the 04 Majella? I bought in to a few bottles of vintages 98-01 (relatively affordable up here in the States), but so far have found the wines to have too much oak for my tastes. Is the 04 any different?

Thanks,
Alan

No idea on the Majella as I've not tried it but I've not seen any mention of overt oak in any of the tasting notes I've seen. See if you can get some Zema Estate Cab 2004, the oak is a nuance only in a wine that relies on classic Coonawarra fruit to speak for itself.

edit: spelling

[Red Bigot]

Can someone give me an idea about the oak levels on the 04 Majella? I bought in to a few bottles of vintages 98-01 (relatively affordable up here in the States), but so far have found the wines to have too much oak for my tastes. Is the 04 any different?

Thanks,
Alan

Alan, oak tolerance varies a lot and I'm generally at the higher end, but the 2004 Majella Cab didn't seem oaky at all to me and I do remember the very oaky 98 (it had the fruit to carry though).

[John #11]

I agree with RB, the oak is barely noticeable. Thats why I didn't mention it in my tasting note.

[Danny]

To continue the analogy I would rate the 04 Penley Phoenix as "excellent" - ie a step under "mint" and "near mint". And personally certainly the equal of the Majella in almost every regard, and better than it in terms of value for money.

It's good to have some basis for comparing preferences, in May 2006 in a single blind tasting I ranked the Phoenix 2004 behind a $12 Preece Central victorian cabernet 04 and a $20+ Longview Adelaide Hills cabernet 04 and it didn't come close to a buy rating for me, neither did the other two for that matter. On this one I have to agree with the detractors.

FWIW, regarding Halliday scores, I automatically deduct 3-5 pts these days, I think he's exceedingly generous on many wines.

I opened (and reviewed) the 04 zema this week. Very nice. Very likable depth to the nose, including some dark earthiness and baked plum that I think bodes well for some medium term cellaring.

I will have to do a side by side with the Majella, Penley and Zema one night soon... just to get a really good feel for their respective plus and minus points, and as I say on the video it's a tasting night that should prove to be a lot of fun!

As far as Halliday being generous, that may be the case (and I think you are probably right) - but my point wasn't to say that these are better wines than a 99 Grange that others respected reviewers have rated at under 90 points, but simply to suggest that he had given the two wine equal scores overall.