The Auswine Forum

I've been buying some of this Margaret River vineyard's wines on and off for a few years now. The Chardonnay does not disappoint, and, after a rummage through the overflowing cellar, I realised tonight that there's 6 of these sleeping peacefully. I'd forgotten about them.

Just as well I found them. Decanted an hour before service, but still needed time in the glass to open up. This is quality Margaret River Cabernet and, at 7 years old, seems to be some distance off peaking. Lots of primary fruit - blackcurrant, rich dark berries, mocha, and some cedary oak. The palate has chocolates, berry fruit, supporting acid, and prominent but not overpowering tannins. Medium finish, but there's a lot happening before you swallow.

I think this is going to get better with more age, but this was a pleasant surprise in the cellar. I hope I have a lot more like these. It's not quintessential MR cabernet, but is certainly classy and interesting.

Cheers

Allan

PS. Higher Plane seems to be a luxury label associated with Juniper Estate. Same winemaker, and possibly single vineyard (further south in MR)

Waiters Friend wrote:PS. Higher Plane seems to be a luxury label associated with Juniper Estate. Same winemaker, and possibly single vineyard (further south in MR)

Juniper itself is pretty luxury these days... and is maybe my favorite Australian Cab Sauv at the moment

Wife and I bought some of the 2011 version of this at Juniper Estate last year. Not sure of it's hierarchical position compared to other Juniper reds. Typical MR style that ticks most boxes. Can't remember its pricing though.

Hacker wrote:Wife and I bought some of the 2011 version of this at Juniper Estate last year. Not sure of it's hierarchical position compared to other Juniper reds. Typical MR style that ticks most boxes. Can't remember its pricing though.

looking up Higher Plane on wine searcher it appears slightly below the main Juniper Estate cab sav label. I also agree it's an under estimated label at present from WA.

Mark

A follow up on the 2017 TN. Primary fruit is giving way to savoury and secondary characters, and the wine is really starting to hit it's straps. There's tobacco, black olive and coffee grounds on top of the developing fruits. The chocolate has been relaced by dark cocoa powder, and the tannins are fine and integrated, but still grippy. A really interesting wine at this stage of development.

Following on from a year ago, This has softened considerably, and tannins are fully integrated. Primary dark fruits have mostly given way to secondary developed characters and the cocoa powder mentioned previously has become more evident. Medium bodied only at this point.

Not likely to improve, and I will need to drink the remaining bottles in the next year or two.