2000 Voyager Cabernet Merlot: Any TNs?
2000 Voyager Cabernet Merlot: Any TNs?
I'm a follower of the marque esp 1998. Anyone tasted the new release? Strangely enough the winery rates its bold chunky 99 ahead of the sumptuous elegant 98. 2001 reds from MR look spectacular which augurs well for next year, particularly having regard to the run of difficult vintages in SE Oz.At the moment though I'm curious about the 2000 esp at $28 b.
Maybe one for Torb. I have read your notes of 2000 and 1999 and scarcely is there a qualitative difference. I also note that Halliday rates 2000 93 whilst 1999 he rates 94. Points are absurd. Descriptors provide a better road map. I was kind saying the 99 was 'bold and chunky'; Michel was more to the point, "clumsy and hot". I don't and I suggest Michel also does not to concur with Halliday.
What do you say is the difference between the last 3 vintages, 98-00?
What do you say is the difference between the last 3 vintages, 98-00?
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Guest
I haven't tried the 98 but have tried the 99 and 00. Here are the TN's.
Voyager Estate 1999 Cabernet Merlot - WA Feb 03 ($39.50) is almost dark purple in colour was a bright hue. The ever-changing lifted nose is complex and slightly herbal with cassis, milk chocolate, coffee and peppermint. The similarity of style between the Cabernet Merlot and a Shiraz is unmistakable. Tannins are drying and powdery, the acid refreshing and the fruit ample weight persistent combining with a layered structure and a diverse sophisticated level of complexity. Blackberries, aniseed, chocolate, mint and tea leaf comprise the palate flavours and whilst this wine is not as fruit intense as say a typical Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, it does have a great structure. Rated as Highly Recommended it is not inexpensive but will be very long lived and gets *** for value (just.)
Voyager Estate 2000 Cabernet Merlot Aug 03
This wine is due for release in September or October and is expected to sell for $38.00. Inky dark purple in colour the nose is dominated by dusty oak and tannins, the dark fruit is deeply submerged with mint on the tail end.
Tannins are not as obvious as the nose suggests but they are chewy. The palate is a further surprise with sweet blackcurrant/blackberry fruit on the attack which is underpinned by black plums with a fair amount of white pepper, chocolate and tobacco on the finish. Muscular in weight, it has a firm consistency, solid structure and the interesting flavour profile will provide a well developed complexity for this well built wine that is worth of space in the cellar. Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value, the rating should improve as the wine enters its drinking window around 2007.
Looks like I though the 1999 had terrific structure but would need a lot of time to show its true colours. The 2000 was more enjoyable now but interesting enough thought the 2000 would also improve. If I was going to buy either the 99 or 00, it would be the 00. (There was something about the 99 that didn't grab me and I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. The CD was crowded, noisy and it was hard to concentrate.)
Hope this helps.
Voyager Estate 1999 Cabernet Merlot - WA Feb 03 ($39.50) is almost dark purple in colour was a bright hue. The ever-changing lifted nose is complex and slightly herbal with cassis, milk chocolate, coffee and peppermint. The similarity of style between the Cabernet Merlot and a Shiraz is unmistakable. Tannins are drying and powdery, the acid refreshing and the fruit ample weight persistent combining with a layered structure and a diverse sophisticated level of complexity. Blackberries, aniseed, chocolate, mint and tea leaf comprise the palate flavours and whilst this wine is not as fruit intense as say a typical Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, it does have a great structure. Rated as Highly Recommended it is not inexpensive but will be very long lived and gets *** for value (just.)
Voyager Estate 2000 Cabernet Merlot Aug 03
This wine is due for release in September or October and is expected to sell for $38.00. Inky dark purple in colour the nose is dominated by dusty oak and tannins, the dark fruit is deeply submerged with mint on the tail end.
Tannins are not as obvious as the nose suggests but they are chewy. The palate is a further surprise with sweet blackcurrant/blackberry fruit on the attack which is underpinned by black plums with a fair amount of white pepper, chocolate and tobacco on the finish. Muscular in weight, it has a firm consistency, solid structure and the interesting flavour profile will provide a well developed complexity for this well built wine that is worth of space in the cellar. Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value, the rating should improve as the wine enters its drinking window around 2007.
Looks like I though the 1999 had terrific structure but would need a lot of time to show its true colours. The 2000 was more enjoyable now but interesting enough thought the 2000 would also improve. If I was going to buy either the 99 or 00, it would be the 00. (There was something about the 99 that didn't grab me and I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. The CD was crowded, noisy and it was hard to concentrate.)
Hope this helps.
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Campbell
My view is that the 98 and 99 are both good, but the more I taste them the more "non-essential" they seem to be. The 00 is below them two - as befits the vintage, particularly in the south of the region. I tasted the 2001 a few weeks ago and it was exceptional, the best of the line by a significant margin, with deliciously persistent sweet herb and blackcurrant flavours. If it were me, I'd be waiting for the 2001 to be released in about a year.
Campbell.
Campbell.