TN: Brookside 'One Acre Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

[Waiters Friend]

Brookside is a tiny vineyard in the Perth Hills, growing only Cabernet and Chardonnay. The Reserve Chardonnay is worth checking out most years. The wines are generally released quite young in response to consumer demand, and I like to put the reds away for a couple of years before approaching them. The wine saw 12 months in new and old French oak. 13.6% alcohol.

Decanted prior to service. Crimson in colour. Lifted nose initially with blackberries, mulberries and redcurrants climbing out of the glass. This settled down with a bit of time in the glass. There's spicy oak characters, with cinnamon prominent, and slight alcoholic heat.

The palate settles the wine down quite nicely - berry fruit and milk chocolate flow across the tongue. There's fine but plentiful tannins giving reasonable grip, and good supporting acid for freshness. The wine finishes quite long and full.

2011 was a good year for most in WA (unlike the eastern states) and this is a good example of Perth Hills cabernet sauvignon. It should hold up for another 2-3 years without any trouble. Most satisfying.

Cheers
Allan

[Chuck]

Brookside is a tiny vineyard in the Perth Hills, growing only Cabernet and Chardonnay.

My sort of winery. King and Queen of Grapes.

Carl