TN: Capel Vale Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

[Waiters Friend]

The fruit for this wine apparently comes off the same Margaret River vineyard that produces their flagship "The Scholar". Capel Vale's labels used to be black 15 or more years ago, and this is the first vintage of the re-introduced 'black label'.

Deep purple in colour. Lots of blackberry, mulberry and other dark fruits on the nose, along with a reasonable dollop of spicy oak, and a hint of eucalypt.

Palate is quite rich and textured, with the fruit sliding over the tongue with some glycerol. Supporting acid stops the mouthfeel from becoming too glue-like, and the tannins are grippy without sucking in the cheeks too much. Medium weight and finishes persistently.

Good wine, well balanced, and should go another 5 - 8 years with ease.

Cheers
Allan

[Waiters Friend]

A couple of years further on, the tasting note is similar. The fruit is starting to diminish slightly on the nose, and is replaced with increasing savoury secondary characters, while oak remains present.

The palate has become quite thick and almost chewy, and the tannins are still prominent and grippy. Acid is still supporting the wine and offering some freshness, but the signs of development are more apparent than a couple of years ago, and I'm not convinced the balance is still there. I'd think about gambling on leaving this wine another 5 years, or drinking it soon. Maybe I will do both.

Cheers
Allan