Margaret river 2001 Cabernet challenge

meshach · Post by **meshach** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:46 pm

yeeha!!!! i will be going for a mini tasting dinner hosted by a wine retailer this friday with the above theme. The wines featured are:

Aperitif:

Cape Mentelle Semillon/Sauvignon 2004
Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2004

Chardonnays:

Moss Wood Chardonnay 2003
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2003

Cabs:

Cullen 'Diana Madeline' Cab/Merlot 2001
Devil's Lair Cabernets 2001
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Vasse Felix 'Heytesbury' Red 2001
Voyager Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2001

real excited cos i have only previously tasted the voyager sem sauv and the heytesbury. in particular the cab lineup looks very good. pity that the howard park is not included. that would have been interesting.

All the above will be tasted blind and voted for favorites at the end.

any guesses on the outcome for the three categories?

i am guessing cape mentelle sem sauv, voyager chardy and the cullen.

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:12 pm

Pity no LEAS Chardy and Houghton Gladstone. The Gladstone will give the Cullen a good run for the money.

Kieran · Post by **Kieran** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:46 pm

It would be interesting to see Woodlands, Gralyn and Cape Grace against these Cabs. 01 Edwards is nice too.

Kieran

meshach · Post by **meshach** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:17 pm

Hi guys

given the recent glowing review i read of the moss wood, i think things are gonna be quite interesting even though many other good wines are not gonna be in the lineup. will report back with detailed results....

m

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:24 pm

Kieran wrote:It would be interesting to see Woodlands, Gralyn and Cape Grace against these Cabs. 01 Edwards is nice too.

Kieran

None of those will compare to Moss Wood Cab and even that isnt in the same class as 95 and 96

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:26 pm

Wheres the Pierro Chard and Leeuwin?

meshach · Post by **meshach** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:16 pm

well, the emphasis is really on 01 cabs, the whites were thrown in by the retailer for fun and to go with food.... :wink:

if those 2 chards are in the lineup too, i expect the cost of the whole dinner is gonna escalate a fair bit...

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:56 pm

Of those I would put the Vasse Felix to wine by a nose, pun intended, over the Moss Wood with the others a couple of places back.

Interested to see your thoughts following the tasting.

meshach · Post by **meshach** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:17 pm

hi davo

heytesbury to win? hmm, i tried the heytesbury a while ago and thot that whilst it is a good balanced elegant wine, it may be more duly appreciated on its own and not in a lineup with possibly bigger wines. i think its subtlety may get swallowed up in a sea of big acids and tannins, making it appear (and only appear) as diluted and lightweight? we will see.... just abt one hour away, and i am still in the office with a conference call coming up in 20mins time.... :shock:

fingers crossed...

m

meshach · Post by **meshach** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:17 pm

hi davo

heytesbury to win? hmm, i tried the heytesbury a while ago and thot that whilst it is a good balanced elegant wine, it may be more duly appreciated on its own and not in a lineup with possibly bigger wines. i think its subtlety may get swallowed up in a sea of big acids and tannins, making it appear (and only appear) as diluted and lightweight? we will see.... just abt one hour away, and i am still in the office with a conference call coming up in 20mins time.... :shock:

fingers crossed...

m

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 8:31 pm

In 2003 we did a 1999 WA tasting with Jack Mann, Moss Wood, Cullen, Voyager, Devil Lair, Heytesbury. The sledgehammer like Jack Mann triumped with Heytesbury surprisingly came second becos of its plush and layered flavours(no way an elegant wine) Moss Wood was 3rd. Cullen didn't perform as well as expected. Devil's Lair was more elegant & Bordeaux like and the Voyager was the weakest of the lot.

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 12:10 am

Yep, Chow Chow ans Shach, it always amazes me how different things appear when you take the labels out of the equation. Nothing like a truly blind tasting to help clear the mind.

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:06 pm

Davo, since it's ur homeground, have u tasted the 2001 J.Mann yet?
When is the anticipate release date?

Heard the Cape Mentelle Cab '01 is back to form, ur opinions?

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:25 pm

Martin, I have not tasted either of these wines so cannot offer a comment. I must admit I don't usually buy either of them as I think there is better value to be found elsewhere.

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:42 pm

Hard to find "value" Cab (with quality) in WA

except;

under $15 - Moondah Brook

under $25 - Houghton MR Cab

Davo · Post by **Davo** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:22 pm

There are more than that from MR Martin, but if I told you I would have to kill you.

But, did I say MR, or even WA? Methinks you assume too much. :lol:

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 3:58 pm

Davo,

Here r some of the lesser known MR wines tat I love..

CASAS - their 99 Cab is as good as any MR Icon.

KILLERBY - Very consistence across the entire range.

ALEXANDER BRIDGE - their flagship 101 r excellent.

Chow Chow · Post by **Chow Chow** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 3:59 pm

T'was me

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:07 pm

How did this ever go?

Gregoire · Post by **Gregoire** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:42 pm

I guess Howard Park is not there as it is not from MR!