The Auswine Forum

Hey folks

This year I am trying to improve the consistency and spread of my wine buying to make sure my cellar has more vertical vintages and has a better mix of things that aren't SA Shiraz, Clare Riesling and Hunter Semillon!

I have decided to work on the basis of selecting one or two top wineries & varieties from major regions and trying to make sure I buy at least 3-6 of them each year.

So the one state I haven't personally toured any wineries in is WA... I want to pick say 2 Western Australian cabernets/cab blends to be part of this mix: I was hoping people might have some strong opinions on which would be best? (Preferably under $50-60, so ex Moss Wood, Vasse Felix Heytsbury, Woodlands top tier, Cape Mentelle)

Immediate thoughts would be Woodlands 2nd tier, Leuwin Estate, something from Cherubino, Vasse Felix, Voyager??

Fraser Gallop around $30 and Brookland Valley Premium Cab Merlot around $40 would be my two picks. Cherubino would be over $50 from memory.

Cheers

Yes, a vote for the Voyager Bordeaux blend (around$50) and Fraser Gallop Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon (Around $30). The Woodlands Margaret is also very good value in the 40's from memory.

If possible try to find the November Decanter which had a great WA CS tasting.

Another vote for Woodlands Margaret here. Brown Hill too (has entry, reserve, Perseverance and Great Boulder that all meet the criteria; entry great at 4-5 years, reserve at 7-10 for me; the others are newer releases I have not yet opened). Plantagenet. Frankland Estate Olmo's Blend. Forest Hill Block X (sorry, forgot which number the cab is off the top of my head). Happs. Woodside Baudin. Should be enough to keep you in fine drinking for a while!!!

Cheers

Dave

Great Southern is interesting. Forest Hill Block series is serious and would be my pick. Ferngrove aren't bad. Cherubino have the second tier that is affordable. How much is Houghton's second tier these days?

From Marg I like Blue Poles for value. Merlot based not cab however. For cab the latest Amy's from Moss wood is a cracker for the price.

Dave Dewhurst wrote:Another vote for Woodlands Margaret here. Brown Hill too (has entry, reserve, Perseverance and Great Boulder that all meet the criteria; entry great at 4-5 years, reserve at 7-10 for me; the others are newer releases I have not yet opened). Plantagenet. Frankland Estate Olmo's Blend. Forest Hill Block X (sorry, forgot which number the cab is off the top of my head). Happs. Woodside Baudin. Should be enough to keep you in fine drinking for a while!!!

Cheers

Dave

I think the Forest Hill is Block 5. Gets my vote, too.

Another vote for Forest Hill Block 5. The Estate cab is very good value for around $22 when discounted, in some vintages being of at least equal, if not higher, quality to the Block 5.

This is great inspiration folks, thanks for the comments... I think the best plan now is to grab a few individual bottles and do a taste off!

Woodlands Margaret 2007 is terrific. But currently needs vigorous decanting.

Another vote for Woodlands Margaret