TN: Forest Hill Block 5 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

[Waiters Friend]

I believe Block 5 is part of the original 1965 plantings - the oldest in the Great Southern region of WA

Deep crimson in colour. There's a good mix of primary fruit - blackcurrant, blueberries and some red fruits as well. There's also mocha/chocolate and some savoury oak, along with an earthy character in the background.

In the mouth, there's red fruits and chocolate washing over the tongue. Tannins are present but not intrusive, and some of earthiness is following through as well. Medium to full bodied, and finishing long, this is nevertheless a wine that seems to drink effortlessly - not too heavy or overbearing, and thoroughly delicious.

I'm probably drinking this a few years too young as well. Another 5 easily.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

I couldn't resist opening another bottle, ignoring my 5+ recommendation from 2021.

It hasn't moved. The TN from early 2021 applies almost 2 years later. Maybe a slight shift towards red fruits, and a dialling-down of the mocha, but otherwise the previous TN remains accurate.

Better than the 2013 of the same wine tasted a couple of weeks ago, and still plenty of life left.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

A further update on this wine, which is now a decade old. The colour has lightened slightly. Decanted two hours before tasting.

The black and red fruits on the nose are showing signs of development, although there's still plenty of them. The red fruits especially are coming to the fore. There's some graphite, coffee grounds and savoury oak, and with more swirling, chocolate.

The palate is velvety but but offset by freshening acid, and tannins are fine and integrating. The red fruit and mocha oak flavours are folding into each other nicely, and the wine is very well balanced. Long finish. An earlier tasting note referred to "not too heavy or overbearing" and this holds true nearly four years later. No shortage of flavour, however.

Cheers
Allan

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