'Great Cabernet Experience' 2009

[tpang]

The list is out for this tasting to be held on 8th Aug 2009 at Zema Estate led by Jeremy Oliver and Greg Clayfield.

This year, it's Coonawarra vs Margaux,France, Hawkes Bay, NZ and Maipo, Chile.

Thoughts/comments on the following list? Do the wines best represent their regions? What else would you add?

• 2006 Zema Estate 'Family Selection' (Coonawarra)

• 2006 Parker Coonawarra Estate — First Growth (Coonawarra)

• 2006 Hollick — Ravenswood (Coonawarra)

• 2006 Petaluma (Coonawarra)

• 2006 Majella (Coonawarra)

• 2006 Craggy Range — The Quarry (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Esk Valley (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Te Mata Estate — Coleraine (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Sacred Hill — The Helmsman (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Babich — Irongate (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2005 Chateau Rauzan Selga (Margaux — FR)

• 2005 Chateau Pieure-Lichine (Margaux — FR)

• 2005 Chateau Rauzan-Gassies (Margaux — FR)

• 2005 Chateau Giscours (Margaux — FR)

• 2005 Chateau Palmer (Margaux — FR)

• 2006 Ventisquero (Maipo Valley — CHILE)

• 2006 Haras — Elegance (Maipo Valley — CHILE)

• 2006 Santa Rita — Medalla Real (Maipo Valley — CHILE)

• 2006 Perez Cruz — Reserva (Maipo Valley — CHILE)

• 2006 De Martino (Maipo Valley — CHILE).

[cuttlefish]

I'd add/replace with one or two more premium Coonawarra wines, like Wynn's John Riddoch, or Balnaves The Tally
Even a Wynns standard "black label" as it's an iconic wine.
05's and 06's should be very sound wines.

[griff]

Strange that it is 06 New World v 05 Old World. It is due to lack of 06 Bordeaux on these shores?

Shame that it isn't New World 05 as there are a few 05's from Margaret that would have shown well I would have thought. Cullen and Moss Wood would be the standouts. Wouldn't pick anything from 06 though.

I haven't tried it but would have thought the 06 Mount Mary would be interesting to compare.

cheers

Carl

[Mandingo]

Brands Patron may be one to consider - the 04 was a cracker

[monghead]

Agree with cuttlefish.

The Riddoch and Tally would have been good. Also, the Jac Ridge (do they still release this since the re-branding to JC?), St Hugo, Prodigy...

Perhaps the 06 vintages have not been released...

Would have been better to compare '05 coonawarras with '05s of the others...

[Bick]

The kiwis look pretty good, assuming the Esk Valley is a Reserve Merlot/Cab/Malbec. But I'd substitute out the Babich, and replace with either Newton-Forrest Cornerstone, Church Road Reserve or Trinity Hill The Gimblett.

As to Chile - you might consider Concha-y-Toro Don Melchor in there - widely regarded as Chile's best wine, I think.

[Craig(NZ)]

The kiwis look pretty good, assuming the Esk Valley is a Reserve Merlot/Cab/Malbec. But I'd substitute out the Babich, and replace with either Newton-Forrest Cornerstone, Church Road Reserve or Trinity Hill The Gimblett.

2006 is a avg to good but not great Hawkes Bay Bordeaux red vintage. It was more known for Syrah

Agree with bick. irongate isnt what it used to be and is a bit old fashioned. 06 Church Rd Reserve Merlot Cabernet should be reasonable accessible? Good wine at just over $30. Drinks more like a $40-50 wine

Cornerstone is pretty simiar in style to Irongate?? I would tend to go a step further instead and get one of the John Forrest Collection bordeaux blends, though im not sure if 06's are out yet?? They are pretty scarce though. I think they are just a bit more slick and refined against the cornerstone?

I have never tried the 06 Trinity Hill "The Gimblett" but would agree on paper a good choice also

Coleraine and Helmsman are obvious must have choices. The Quarry offers a modern offering and its pretty good too (and a darling label). There is also Craggy Sophia. You could argue changing out the Quarry for the Sophia? I personally would for my palate. 2006 Sophia is very tidy (kwfc bdx blend of the year last year)

You could of course strengthen it up more with an upgrade Make your "2006 Esk Valley" to the flagship 2006 Esk Valley "The Terraces". The 2006 has been released and available. Not cheap though at about $130NZ. Terraces offers a bit more depth and richness 2006 is a top vintage for Terraces.

Another you would usually consider is Montana Tom. But 2006 not released yet (dunno if they are even making a 2006).

Based on what has been released and money no consideration id probably go to fill the 5 kiwi spots:

2006 Te Mata Coleraine
2006 Esk Valley Terraces
2006 Sacred Hill Helmsman
2006 Craggy Range Sophia
2006 Trinity Hill "The Gimblet"

[tpang]

I concur with several of you. I would have included the Craggy Range Sophia and the Trinity Hill Gimblett. But that said I haven't had the chance to taste any Esk Valley or Babich releases before so I can't say that they are inferior choices.

cuttlefish did make a sound comment that inclusion of the John Riddoch or even the 'standard' black label would have been interesting.

Carl, you're right in that it's a shame that it's 06 New World vs 05 Bordeaux. Perhaps one could argue that the intensity and lushness of wines made in those 2 vintages in France and Australia are somewhat comparable. (If we considered WA wines, then 2006 would be off the table I'd think, especially for wines like Cullen) But 2006 was tough for NZ (? correct me if I'm wrong) and I've no idea about the 06 vintage for Chile.

[Gary W]

How exactly does a wine that's 85% Merlot (the Sophia) fit into a 'great Cabernet' tasting? The Bordeaux are all Cabernet dominant wines (although Palmer would have a good whack of Merlot in it).
Anyway, I'm betting that the 06 Coonawarras are going to look distinctly...hmmm 'fresh' alongside the Bordeaux.
GW

[jeremy]

GW wrote

How exactly does a wine that's 85% Merlot (the Sophia) fit into a 'great Cabernet' tasting? The Bordeaux are all Cabernet dominant wines (although Palmer would have a good whack of Merlot in it).
Anyway, I'm betting that the 06 Coonawarras are going to look distinctly...hmmm 'fresh' alongside the Bordeaux.
GW

Maybe it's a "Sideways" moment

[Duncan]

As to Chile - you might consider Concha-y-Toro Don Melchor in there - widely regarded as Chile's best wine, I think.

I thought Almaviva was in that spot. Tried both at cellar door - after negotiating two armed gatehouses !

[Wizz]

As to Chile - you might consider Concha-y-Toro Don Melchor in there - widely regarded as Chile's best wine, I think.

I thought Almaviva was in that spot. Tried both at cellar door - after negotiating two armed gatehouses !

Agreed - base don the 2001s the AlmaViva belted the Don Melchor.

Does anyone import either of these at the moment?

[Craig(NZ)]

How exactly does a wine that's 85% Merlot (the Sophia) fit into a 'great Cabernet' tasting? The Bordeaux are all Cabernet dominant wines (although Palmer would have a good whack of Merlot in it).
Anyway, I'm betting that the 06 Coonawarras are going to look distinctly...hmmm 'fresh' alongside the Bordeaux.
GW

I didnt see this as a problem seeing the esk is included in the planned line up which has sweet fa cab either. (I am assuming it is the esk reserve and not the $19 supermarket Cab Merlot they do)

If Cab predominant is required id change back the sophia for the quarry again and perhaps change out the esk for brookfields gold label (although it tends to struggle in cooler vintages havent tried the 06 yet - assuming they made it in 06).

You could also go 06 Mills Reef Elspeth Trust Block Cab Sauv if you want a 100% Cab. I would name that as the best close to 100% Cab from the vintage??

http://www.millsreef.co.nz/Wines/Trust-Block/Cabernet-Sauvignon/2006/

[SueNZ]

• 2006 Craggy Range — The Quarry (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Esk Valley (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Te Mata Estate — Coleraine (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Sacred Hill — The Helmsman (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

• 2006 Babich — Irongate (Hawkes Bay — NZ)

If I was going to pay to go to a 'Great Cabernet Experience' I would be expecting to taste wines that are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon

Craggy Range The Quarry 2006 is 95% Cabernet - good choice.

Esk Valley Reserve 2006 is Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvigon. The Terraces 2006 has no Cabernet Sauvignon at all. I don't think Esk should be in there.

Coleraine 2006 is 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot. I guess if you add the Cab Sauv and Cab Franc together , it becomes 'Cabernet' dominant (51%) - a bit borderline, I would have thought.

Sacred Hill Helmsman 2006 is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon - don't know the proportions.

Don't know about Babich Irongate, but Babich Patriarch is the flagship wine from this winery and the 2006 is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. I would choose Patriarch over Irongate every day.

I think a Mills Reef Cab should be in there - either Mills Reef Trust Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 or Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Either would be fitting of a 'Great Cabernet Experience' - more so than the Esk.

There is also the John Forrest Collection Hawkes Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Haven't tasted this vintage but Bob Campbell MW rates it 94.

Someone suggested Trinity Hill 'The Gimblett' but the 2006 is is made up of Merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 17%, Petit Verdot 15%, Cabernet Franc 6% and Malbec 5% - hardly Cabernet dominant. Good wine, though.

Tom 2005 is not being released for 18 months so would not expect to see the 2006 for another 12 months after that. Don't know what the proportions of Cabernet and Merlot are either.

Cheers,
Sue

[Craig(NZ)]

Coleraine 2006 is 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot. I guess if you add the Cab Sauv and Cab Franc together , it becomes 'Cabernet' dominant (51%) - a bit borderline, I would have thought.

Good point Sue - I shoulda picked up on this too, you have to watch it with modern coleraine - many vintages are predominantly merlot (no matter how they package it - 'cabernets' etc) 02-06 were like this off the top of my head???

So really Coleraine should be out too if they wanna get fussy over it

So it could be like choosing a NZ cricket team with 10 injuries - take what you can get?? Lets face it NZ and cab wines struggle, especially in average vintages. you not gonna end up with many to choose from

Quarry
BFGL
John Forrest
Babich Patriach
Sacred Hill Helmsman

[SueNZ]

Quarry
BFGL
John Forrest
Babich Patriach
Sacred Hill Helmsman

What is BFGL?

[Craig(NZ)]

BrookFields Gold Label

http://www.brookfieldsvineyards.co.nz/wine?code=45

[tpang]

Maybe we could have our own forum 'Great Cabernet Taste-off'. Let's pick a vintage and everyone brings in one NZ and one AU bottle of their choice. TNs collated and posted here.

2006 anyone?

[SueNZ]

The list is out for this tasting to be held on 8th Aug 2009 at Zema Estate led by Jeremy Oliver and Greg Clayfield.

You forgot to mention they are charging $250 per person - lunch included. After reading the press release Coleraine scrapes in just, as they talk about the 'Cabernet family' (bolding below is mine) but I am still puzzled by Esk Valley's inclusion.

"The public and industry can experience the true grace and style of Cabernet Sauvignon and its blends with related varieties as they express different nuances of taste and character around the globe.
This year, five of the leading Cabernets from the iconic Australian region of Coonawarra are being contrasted with a similar number from Margaux, Hawkes Bay and the Maipo region of Chile.
This tasting represents an exceptional opportunity not only to learn more about the qualities and complexities of the Cabernet family, but to experience five top wines from four internationally renowned Cabernet regions in a relaxed and educational setting."

Maybe we could have our own forum 'Great Cabernet Taste-off'. Let's pick a vintage and everyone brings in one NZ and one AU bottle of their choice. TNs collated and posted here.

2006 anyone?

2006 is fine as I think I'm tasting Wynnn's John Riddoch in a couple of weeks time.

Cheers,
Sue