TN: Some recent Antipodean wines
Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 6:24 am
- [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1457129]2010 Balnaves of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon[/url] - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2018-05-25)
A deeply coloured wine, almost purple, with some bricking now. A deep, rich nose too, with lots of blackcurrants, cedar and tobacco. These are echoed in the flavours of this full-bodied, powerful yet balanced wine. Smooth tannins give it nice structure. This is a great Coonawarra cab, a little less overt with oak than many other versions, though still very powerful. Drinking well now with a little air, but this will last several years yet. (A-) - [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2177217]2014 Mud House Wines Pinot Noir Estate Claim 431[/url] - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago (2018-05-14)
Medium brick in colour, with a nose of cherry liquour, earth and herbs.More cheery on the medium-bodied, smooth palate and a long, pure finish. Still a nice QPR pinot with life left. (B+/A-) - [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=745305]2006 Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon[/url] - Australia, Victoria, Central Victoria, Nagambie Lakes (2018-04-04)
Deep ruby in colour. A powerful and classic cabernet nose of blackfruits, a hint of mint, cedar and basil - lovely. There is more of the same on the medium-full bodied palate, but the very healthy tannins are the main attribute here. They are still quite aggressive, and I am a fan of tannins. So there's a weird juxtaposition between the nice nose and fruit and then the huge wall of tannins at the end. Hold off several years if you can - hopefully the tannins will subside over time without losing the fruit too quickly. I still enjoyed the wine, though. The second day, the tannins did subside somewhat. (B+) - [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2285837]2013 Blue Pyrenees Estate Shiraz Section One[/url] - Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Pyrenees (2018-02-03)
Deep red in colour, with plums and spice on the aromatic nose. Medium-full bodied with a very elegant style and velvety, rich (but not too rich) texture. More plums and pepper and a hint of mint (on the second day) on the well balanced palate: fruit is dominant but there are supporting acid and light tannins too. Classy wine that's ready now but should last a while. (A-) - [url=https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=547382]2006 Majella Cabernet Sauvignon[/url] - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2018-01-01)
Still very dark purple in colour with only a tiny bit of bricking. A powerful nose of blackfruits, mint and oak notes. The palate is still powerful as well, medium to full bodied, with similar flavours as the nose on show. A bold, exuberant wine, as Majella cabs normally are. But they do settle down a little with some age, as this one has, although it's still a big wine with some overt oak notes remaining. But the fruit, tannins, acid and oak are pretty well balanced, and this should last quite a while yet. (A-)