TN: Kay Brothers 'Cuthbert' Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

[Waiters Friend]

Purchased on a visit to this McLaren Vale producer in late 2016.

Deep purple in the glass with crimson tinges. The nose shows ripe juicy blackberries, some milk chocolate and vanilla. There's none of the mint you get from Coonawarra, nor the capsicum in some MR Cabs - just straightforward dark fruits and a bit of spice and savouriness.

The palate is velvety, with tannins well and truly integrated and not particularly grippy. There's some freshening acid, and a touch of leather, but the fruit is still the dominant flavour. There's a little palate weight, but this is not a big muscular wine, and it finishes medium to long.

I'm not going to make a call on the lifespan of this wine - 8 years seems reasonable, and its drinking pleasantly enough now.

Cheers
Allan

[Mahmoud Ali]

Is the 'Cuthbert' a premium selection or a new name for their cabernet. I don't remember this wine when I visited many years ago. Back then I picked up both the 1998 shiraz and cabernet.

[Waiters Friend]

Is the 'Cuthbert' a premium selection or a new name for their cabernet. I don't remember this wine when I visited many years ago. Back then I picked up both the 1998 shiraz and cabernet.

I think it is just the name of the Cabernet, Mahmoud. I don't recall them having a second cabernet at cellar door. A quick look at their website has the 2017 Cuthbert for $49, and that's the only cabernet.

Cheers
Allan

[sjw_11]

Kay's do or used to do a standard estate Cabernet as well (what they call Basket Pressed, around $20-25) but they don't seem to have it at the moment, the Cuthbert is the reserve and equivalent to the Hillside Shiraz. They also of course make the top of the line Block 6 Shiraz but no equivalent Cab.

[Chuck]

Purchased on a visit to this McLaren Vale producer in late 2016.

Deep purple in the glass with crimson tinges. The nose shows ripe juicy blackberries, some milk chocolate and vanilla. There's none of the mint you get from Coonawarra, nor the capsicum in some MR Cabs - just straightforward dark fruits and a bit of spice and savouriness.

This is why I love McLaren Vale cabs although I agree they may lack a bit of complexity. It's the goldilocks cab for me. Just right without having to think too much about it. My wine epiphany was a Seaview 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon.