Grand Cru Tasting Group (Perth) – Great Australian Reds

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

Cabernet Shiraz or Shiraz Cabernet? Either way, the combination of these two grapes have long been considered the great Australian red blend. There's even a competition for it: http://www.thegreataustralianred.com/.

I didn’t realise it at the time, but we have done a similar tasting 4 years ago: http://forum.auswine.com.au/viewtopic.php?f ... 17#p142182

The wines for this tasting could be from anywhere, and any combination of these two grape varieties only. They were tasted blind (as usual) from youngest to oldest, with only the vintage known.

Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (Langhorne Creek, SA): Purple in colour. The nose shows blackcurrant, cassis, blueberry, mocha, dusty oak, pepper, cloves and vanilla. The palate reflects those dark fruits, with a little chocolate, and grippy tannins. There’s a touch of alcohol heat, and a good mouthfeel. Medium to long finish, and the group considered this to be nicely balanced and true to form.

Devils Lair Hidden Cave Cabernet Shiraz 2018 (Margaret River, WA): Purple / red in colour. Blackcurrant and caramel on the nose, with menthol and graphite. More blackcurrant on the palate, with some savoury oak. Acid and tannins are moderate, and the wine has a medium finish.

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Pepperjack “Certified” Shiraz Cabernet 2017 (Barossa Valley, SA): Apparently a Dan Murphy exclusive. Crimson. The nose shows leather, pepper, raspberry, freshly dried clothes (!) and graphite. The palate has chocolate, soft juicy dark fruits and moderate acid. Medium bodied and finish. Described as ‘elegant’. Well regarded by the group.

Dal Bosco Syrah Cabernet 2016 (Lenari Valley, Chile)” Crimson in colour. The wine was noticeably affected by Brett, and therefore not assessed.

Wynns V&A Cabernet Shiraz 2015 (Coonawarra SA): Crimson in colour. Initially the nose was savoury with leather, and opened up to show dark fruits, tobacco, vanilla and eucalypt. The savoury notes and dark fruits follow through the palate. There’s good supporting acid and grippy tannins.

Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Cabernet Shiraz 2013 (Barossa Valley, SA): Crimson bordering on ruby. There’s leather polish initially, with dark fruits, dark chocolate and savoury notes. The palate has ripe, almost tart blue and red fruits, with good supporting acid and very grippy tannins. Lovely mouthfeel, and is full bodied. Finishes long, and possibly we were drinking this a few years too young. Highly regarded by the group

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Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz 2013 (Langhorne Creek, SA): Crimson / ruby. Lots of mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate on the nose, along with eucalypt, dark fruits, pepper and leather. The palate shows ripe fruits, milk chocolate, soft acid and integrated tannins, all adding up to a velvety mouthfeel. A touch of bitter orange on the long finish. Medium to full bodied.

Stonyfell “The Baton” Cabernet Shiraz 2013 (Langhorne Creek, SA): Crimson / ruby in colour. There’s a lot here, leather, menthol, dark plums, and cedary oak on the nose, and chocolate with juicy dark fruits on the palate. There’s good supporting acid, while the wine has a syrupy feel. Slight alcohol heat, good tannins and quite a long finish.

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Wynns V&A Cabernet Shiraz 2009 (Coonawarra SA): Ruby in colour. The nose shows leather, dark chocolate, mulberry, raspberry, plums, all integrated. There’s juicy red and blue fruits over soft acid and integrated tannins. Well balanced, and well regarded by the group.

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2008: Ruby in colour. A dusty nose, with raspberry and blue fruits, mocha, cassis and rosewater. The palate has more of the red juicy fruits, milk chocolate, integrated tannins, and quite soft acid. Medium finish.

We ended up with two wines of the night: Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Shiraz 2018 and Yalumba ‘The Signature’ Cabernet Shiraz 2013. However, many of the group commented on the overall quality of this tasting, One of our more enjoyable nights.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

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[paulf]

I'm not sure whether or not to be surprised that I don't have a single Cab/Shiraz in the cellar. I like them well enough but it isn't something tend to buy obviously.

[phillisc]

Thanks for the write up Allan, have the Yalumba, 389 and the Wynns.
The Pepperjack has done extremely well at The Great Australian Red Competition, as has the signature.
I really like Wynns, but can't really recall any V&A that has wowed me...think they might be an earlier drinking style.

Cheers Craig

[Matt@5453]

Good to hear the Wolf Blass Grey Label featured well. Its a style I feel they manage well. I've really enjoyed the 12s and 16s in the past, I have not tried an 18 yet but should seek it out.

[JamieBahrain]

Enjoyed the Grey Label 2012 a few nights ago. Thanks to Ian off the forum who gave me a fantastic mixed case of wine as I’m locked out of cellar. Rich and even and just enough regionality ( Gumtree and Mint )

[Mahmoud Ali]

I'm not sure whether or not to be surprised that I don't have a single Cab/Shiraz in the cellar. I like them well enough but it isn't something tend to buy obviously.

I quite like the Cab/Shiraz style and wish more of my Australian wines were of that genre. Sadly I have only Bin 389, the Signature, and yes Koonunga Hill in my stash.

Thanks for the notes and pictures Allan, very much appreciated.