Brookside "One Acre Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Perth Hills)

[Waiters Friend]

This tiny Perth Hills winery is my favourite lunch destination in the Perth Hills. There's also a range of wines, made these days by Josh and Rachael Davenport at Myattsfield. The best each year seem to be based on the acre of vines that have been on site for well over 20 years - half Chardonnay and half Cabernet Sauvignon. Their Reserve Chardonnay is a house favourite most years as well.

I put away a couple of bottles of the 2008 Reserve CS some years ago (I've added a small number of most vintages from 2011 onwards as well over time), I find the wines to be a little astringent on release. Time does the trick.

This 2008 is deep purple in colour. It has a powerful nose of blackcurrant, a whiff of eucalypt, some milk chocolate, and some vanillan oak. The palate is full without being overblown, with grippy tannins and good supporting acid leading to a clean medium-long finish.

I was concerned this might be past it. No chance! It should hold for another couple of years, but is unlikely to get any better. Very satisfying.

A large group of friends are joining us at Brookside for lunch tomorrow, and I will save a little of this wine for Peter and Fay (the owners) to taste.

Cheers
Allan