TN: Devils Lair Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Deep purple in colour. The nose initially showed tobacco, tobacco and tobacco, but this has blown off to reveal menthol, rich thick blackberry jam, and unobtrusive cedary oak. The palate is where the wine shines - plush fruit on the mid palate, supporting acid and grippy tannins, and a velvety texture. The wine finishes quite long, and there's no sharp edges here whatsoever.

At it's peak? Maybe. A couple more years could improve it slightly.

Cheers
Allan

[rooman]

I have a small pack of this tucked away following a purchase at VM and a decent review in Decanter around the same time. I need to try one. I would however be really surprised if it was at its peak. Nevertheless the proof is in the pudding so I will grab one and report back.

[Waiters Friend]

I have a small pack of this tucked away following a purchase at VM and a decent review in Decanter around the same time. I need to try one. I would however be really surprised if it was at its peak. Nevertheless the proof is in the pudding so I will grab one and report back.

I'd be delighted to have a second opinion - go for it and let us have your post.

[rooman]

I have a small pack of this tucked away following a purchase at VM and a decent review in Decanter around the same time. I need to try one. I would however be really surprised if it was at its peak. Nevertheless the proof is in the pudding so I will grab one and report back.

I'd be delighted to have a second opinion - go for it and let us have your post.

I will as soon as I’m off the wagon. Looks like it may be a while yet.

[rooman]

G'day

Deep purple in colour. The nose initially showed tobacco, tobacco and tobacco, but this has blown off to reveal menthol, rich thick blackberry jam, and unobtrusive cedary oak. The palate is where the wine shines - plush fruit on the mid palate, supporting acid and grippy tannins, and a velvety texture. The wine finishes quite long, and there's no sharp edges here whatsoever.

At it's peak? Maybe. A couple more years could improve it slightly.

Cheers
Allan

Tried one last night. As you wrote, if its not at its peak, there isn't much more left in the tank. It doesn't appear to have the tannin structure for the long haul so I will probably drink the rest of the case in the short term and keep just one, or two at the most, to see if they develop long term as an experiment. From my perspective, soft tannins and quite sweet red fruit. At what was around $25 spot on for value but I am glad I didnt pay any more.

Mark

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Deep purple in colour. The nose initially showed tobacco, tobacco and tobacco, but this has blown off to reveal menthol, rich thick blackberry jam, and unobtrusive cedary oak. The palate is where the wine shines - plush fruit on the mid palate, supporting acid and grippy tannins, and a velvety texture. The wine finishes quite long, and there's no sharp edges here whatsoever.

At it's peak? Maybe. A couple more years could improve it slightly.

Cheers
Allan

Tried one last night. As you wrote, if its not at its peak, there isn't much more left in the tank. It doesn't appear to have the tannin structure for the long haul so I will probably drink the rest of the case in the short term and keep just one, or two at the most, to see if they develop long term as an experiment. From my perspective, soft tannins and quite sweet red fruit. At what was around $25 spot on for value but I am glad I didnt pay any more.

Mark

Thanks Mark. Good to have the second opinion. I will probably do the same, and drink sooner rather than later. I have 11s, 13s and 14s to consider as well.

[Mahmoud Ali]

I am surprised, shouldn't a Margaret River cabernet have at least a decade in the tank if not more? Was 2012 a weak year in Margaret River?

[Luke W]

Sorry guys I don't share your pessimism. Just opened a bottle, decanted it, tried to drink it but it was too raw and all over the place. Poured it back in the bottle and will decant for 6 or 7 hours tomorrow. Gut feeling is to leave it alone for about 10 years. Still it's been sitting in the dark cellar at 12 degrees for 4 years. Will comment further after the long decant tomorrow.

[rooman]

Sorry guys I don't share your pessimism. Just opened a bottle, decanted it, tried to drink it but it was too raw and all over the place. Poured it back in the bottle and will decant for 6 or 7 hours tomorrow. Gut feeling is to leave it alone for about 10 years. Still it's been sitting in the dark cellar at 12 degrees for 4 years. Will comment further after the long decant tomorrow.

Strange I have also had it in the cellar at around the same temperature but just don't see it having the legs for a long haul. It is lush but the tannin structure didn't leave me with the feeling it could go the distance which is really surprising for a MR cab sav of this level.

[rooman]

I am surprised, shouldn't a Margaret River cabernet have at least a decade in the tank if not more? Was 2012 a weak year in Margaret River?

So was I which is why i opened a bottle early but for my taste I would be surprised to see it go the long haul.

[Luke W]

I didn't like this wine for the 1st 6 hours of decanting time. It was thin, muddy and linear. At about that time, the 6 hour mark and as it started to warm up, it morphed into a more architypal clone of its MR friends. Just wish I hadn't drunk 2 thirds of the bottle by then!

Became elegant, beautifully aromatic and more textural. Couldn't recognise any real tannin structure until then either.

So give it lots of time and warmth when u open and u will be rewarded....

[rooman]

I didn't like this wine for the 1st 6 hours of decanting time. It was thin, muddy and linear. At about that time, the 6 hour mark and as it started to warm up, it morphed into a more architypal clone of its MR friends. Just wish I hadn't drunk 2 thirds of the bottle by then!

Became elegant, beautifully aromatic and more textural. Couldn't recognise any real tannin structure until then either.

So give it lots of time and warmth when u open and u will be rewarded....

If you reckon it came on with time, i will try one more bottle next year. After that, I’m happy throwing it to the back of the cellar again.

[Luke W]

I'd leave it for at least 5yrs.....