TN: Higher Plane Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Margaret River)

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I found an unopened six pack of this in the cellar last week. This wine has been tasted over 3 nights, after decanting.

Deep crimson in colour. Good varietal nose, with blackcurrant, tobacco, savoury oak, coffee / dark cocoa powder, and violets. The palate is medium bodied, with the fruit flowing across the mid palate, and grippy tannins. There's some savouriness and complexity from both the oak and bottle development, and the wine has a medium to long finish.

Possibly will improve a little in the short term, but possibly at its peak now. If you have some, try one and see how it suits your tastes.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

It's been a while since I opened one of these. The tasting note from 2018 is still largely correct; however, there's some development, especially with an integration and softening of tannins. Fruit is also heading into red fruits territory (with blackcurrant still present), and the fruit is almost juicy on the tongue.

Still most enjoyable, but not going to improve. It's interesting that the back label says the wine will improve for at least 8 years - that was last year. I will also need to check on my 2010s.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

Second-last bottle of this.

Still deep colour, with red around the rim. The tasting note from 2020 is largely unchanged, with modest development of the fruit flavours - now well into secondary territory, but still prominent especially on the palate. The nose still shows cocoa, tobacco and savoury oak characters, with the fruits in the background. The finish is long and quite rich in fruit and texture, and tannins are integrated but still grippy.

I know I said it was near its peak in 2018, but the wine hasn't declined at all - just changed. One more bottle to go.

Cheers
Allan