The Auswine Forum

This wine, a deep red, was showing obvious fruity aromas, blackberries, and a little smoky oak. It sported a little sticker claiming to be a Winestate 5-star winner, which raises all sorts of questions in my mind! On the palate, medium bodied, quite simple, gently fruity, with no great complexity or length. Just so-so

After 2 days in a 375ml bottle, refrigerated, the wine has opened up a little, but the intensity of the flavours still doesn't match the promise made by the colour. It's generally quite simple, with the slightly dilute flavours which suggest its been made from younger, or higher-yielding vines. Finishes dry, but patchy across the palate. 5 stars? I don't think so...

cheers,
Graeme

Graeme,

Agree with your comments, here is my TN form last Feb when I visited the winery.

The first wine, Woodlands 2001 Cabernet Merlot Malbec ($20 or $15 by the case) showed chocolate and warm berry fruit on the nose with lots of dusty tannins, piquant acid and medium but slightly lean fruit. The palate follows the nose with savoury upfront fruit leading to a sweet mid palate and a savoury finish with a big hit of acid on the tail. I found the structure to be slightly disjointed and the complexity simple but whilst the wine didn't rock my boat, it had reasonable length and would be okay for $15. Rated as <b>Agreeable</b> with *** for value.

Are you sure it didnt get 5 Stars in Winestate for the Ugly Label category?