99 Balnaves - Shut Down or Past It?

Michael McNally · Post by **Michael McNally** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:30 pm

G'day all

I know it is hard to judge wines through the palates and scribblings of others, but perhaps someone can help. I wrote the following TN last night:

1999 Balnaves Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Cork.
Cork is in excellent condition.
Strong colour. Absolutely no bricking. Looks like a young wine.
Shy nose - not a lot of fruit. Feint cassis, old wood and a hint of spice.
Again not a lot of fruit on the front palate, though what is there is dark cherry and plum. Grippy tannin. It's quite enjoyable and goes down easily. I guess I was expecting more fruit. It does improve a fair bit in the decanter. Not sure about this wine - it is either in a shut down phase or is in decline. There is nothing overtly wrong with it (TCA, oxidation etc.).

So to the question in the title of the post. Is this past it or in a "dumb phase". The bottle says 2-6 years for drinking, but I thought Balnaves were built to last longer than that. JH and JO seem to think so (the latter says 2007-11). It was an auction purchase (12 bottles) so the cellaring may be a question (except for the excellent fill level and cork condition).

Your thoughts?

Many thanks

Michael

TORB · Post by **TORB** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:16 am

Sounds like a dud bottle to me. As you have bought a dozen, why not open another one to see?

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:28 am

Dud.
GW

Michael McNally · Post by **Michael McNally** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:57 pm

Thanks for the feedback (you really should learn to be more concise Gary!).

I fear you may be right, as I had the rest that was left overnight in the decanter and it had improved somewhat, but was by no means great.

I'll take your advice and try another shortly TORB.

Sigh.

Michael

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:01 pm

I've pulled one out of the cellar for you. I bought 6 on release and they have been stored at 15c since. Have a couple of bottles left. Will open very shortly and let you know.
GW

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:46 pm

OK. Opened one.
Cassis, bit of mint/licorice and a certain Bordelais earthiness/pencil character - chocolate too. It's full bodied and rich - plenty of fruit and tertiary tobacco and truffle flavours coming through. Acidity a little too elevated but no big problem. Tannins softening but still have grip. Finish good - would rather a little less alcohol warmth but all in all an excellent wine. On this bottle I'd say there's no problems lasting till 2014+ easily.
GW

Michael McNally · Post by **Michael McNally** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:48 am

Wow, thanks for doing that Gary. Hope it was enjoyable enough to warrant the exercise!!

I'll try another during the week, and if it hasn't got a serious amount of fruit may have to send the rest back to Langtons for sale (caveat emptor everyone!)

Cheers
Michael

Gary W · Post by **Gary W** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:48 pm

Michael McNally wrote:Wow, thanks for doing that Gary. Hope it was enjoyable enough to warrant the exercise!!

I'll try another during the week, and if it hasn't got a serious amount of fruit may have to send the rest back to Langtons for sale (caveat emptor everyone!)

Cheers
Michael

No worries. Was meaning to drag some stuff out of the (off-site) cellar and grabbed a few other bits and bobs. Yes. Very enjoyable 92-93 points-ish - not that I was thinking about it much.
GW