Grand Cru Tasting Group (Perth) – 2012 Cabernets
Posted: Thu May 20, 2021 10:39 pm
G’day
Our monthly tasting group decided to go for a horizontal tasting this time, Cabernets from the 2012 vintage. It wasn’t restricted to straight Cabernet Sauvignons, but could be a blend, provided it was CS dominant. In the end, all this made little difference, as only one of the group brought a blend.
I am reliably informed that show judging one year old cabernets is the toughest of the tasting gigs. Personally, I tend to not open Australian cabernets before 5 or more years of age anyway, so just as well that we went for 2012 vintage.
And the wines were ….. all 2012’s:
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River): The ‘black label’ not the Stevens Road or Reserve. I have found this is a reliable wine over many vintages, and still under $40. Purple / crimson in colour. The nose is dusty, with blackcurrant, bay leaf, cassis, tobacco, graphite, and a hint of mint. The palate has more blackcurrant, prominent acid and supporting tannins. There was discussion about whether the fruit was insufficient for the tannins and acid, while some tasters reckon this is too young, and needs food.
Wills Domain (Margaret River): Purple / crimson in colour. Modest, almost shy nose (at least by comparison) and vegetal, somewhat smoky and some leather. The palate shows more of the leather, and some red fruits. Tannins and acid are both moderate (again by comparison) and the palate is soft and textured. There was discussion as to whether this was developed (or going downhill).
Whicher Ridge (Geographe): Deep purple in colour. Lots of dark berries, vanilla, tobacco, coffee / mocha, in a rich combination. The palate follows through from the nose, along with red and dark fruits, good supporting acid, and integrated but grippy tannins. Excellent balance and length, and highly regarded by the group. Wirra Wirra “The Angelus” (McLaren Vale): Deep purple in colour. A big wine – lots of choc / mocha on the expressive nose, along with coffee grounds, dark fruits and eucalypt. On the palate, acid is prominent, tannins are dusty, and there’s lots of black fruit, without being jammy. It’s medium to full bodied and good length. There was debate as to whether it was mature, or too young.
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot (Margaret River): The only blend of the tasting. Deep purple in colour. The nose is lively, with red fruits, vanilla and pencil shavings. The palate is also bright with red fruits, and appeared on first tasting to be quite light-bodied. Good tannins and acid, but for me, finished a little short. The phrase “refined texture” was used. Well regarded by the group, while personally I would leave it a little longer. Rockford Rifle Range (Barossa): Crimson in colour. Earthy nose, and described by others as porty. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, and a ferrous character on the nose. Soft acid, integrated and moderate tannins, with rich black fruits and some soy / umami. A big wine all round.
D’Arenberg Coppermine Road (McLaren Vale): Purple / red in colour. There’s spices, red and dark fruits (especially blackberries), bacon fat, and graphite / asphalt on the nose. Tannins are grippy and acid is high. There’s still lots of primary fruit evident on the palate, and the wine has good body and great length. Highly regarded by the group.
A small but interesting tasting, and mostly very good wines that I would be happy to open on their own with dinner. Wine of the night (by a considerable margin) was the 2012 D’Arenberg Coppermine Road.
These horizontal tastings are a good option provided you don’t narrow the parameters too much. It’s possible we will do 2012 Shiraz in June – but that is still being voted on.
Cheers
Allan
Our monthly tasting group decided to go for a horizontal tasting this time, Cabernets from the 2012 vintage. It wasn’t restricted to straight Cabernet Sauvignons, but could be a blend, provided it was CS dominant. In the end, all this made little difference, as only one of the group brought a blend.
I am reliably informed that show judging one year old cabernets is the toughest of the tasting gigs. Personally, I tend to not open Australian cabernets before 5 or more years of age anyway, so just as well that we went for 2012 vintage.
And the wines were ….. all 2012’s:
Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River): The ‘black label’ not the Stevens Road or Reserve. I have found this is a reliable wine over many vintages, and still under $40. Purple / crimson in colour. The nose is dusty, with blackcurrant, bay leaf, cassis, tobacco, graphite, and a hint of mint. The palate has more blackcurrant, prominent acid and supporting tannins. There was discussion about whether the fruit was insufficient for the tannins and acid, while some tasters reckon this is too young, and needs food.
Wills Domain (Margaret River): Purple / crimson in colour. Modest, almost shy nose (at least by comparison) and vegetal, somewhat smoky and some leather. The palate shows more of the leather, and some red fruits. Tannins and acid are both moderate (again by comparison) and the palate is soft and textured. There was discussion as to whether this was developed (or going downhill).
Whicher Ridge (Geographe): Deep purple in colour. Lots of dark berries, vanilla, tobacco, coffee / mocha, in a rich combination. The palate follows through from the nose, along with red and dark fruits, good supporting acid, and integrated but grippy tannins. Excellent balance and length, and highly regarded by the group. Wirra Wirra “The Angelus” (McLaren Vale): Deep purple in colour. A big wine – lots of choc / mocha on the expressive nose, along with coffee grounds, dark fruits and eucalypt. On the palate, acid is prominent, tannins are dusty, and there’s lots of black fruit, without being jammy. It’s medium to full bodied and good length. There was debate as to whether it was mature, or too young.
Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot (Margaret River): The only blend of the tasting. Deep purple in colour. The nose is lively, with red fruits, vanilla and pencil shavings. The palate is also bright with red fruits, and appeared on first tasting to be quite light-bodied. Good tannins and acid, but for me, finished a little short. The phrase “refined texture” was used. Well regarded by the group, while personally I would leave it a little longer. Rockford Rifle Range (Barossa): Crimson in colour. Earthy nose, and described by others as porty. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, and a ferrous character on the nose. Soft acid, integrated and moderate tannins, with rich black fruits and some soy / umami. A big wine all round.
D’Arenberg Coppermine Road (McLaren Vale): Purple / red in colour. There’s spices, red and dark fruits (especially blackberries), bacon fat, and graphite / asphalt on the nose. Tannins are grippy and acid is high. There’s still lots of primary fruit evident on the palate, and the wine has good body and great length. Highly regarded by the group.
A small but interesting tasting, and mostly very good wines that I would be happy to open on their own with dinner. Wine of the night (by a considerable margin) was the 2012 D’Arenberg Coppermine Road.
These horizontal tastings are a good option provided you don’t narrow the parameters too much. It’s possible we will do 2012 Shiraz in June – but that is still being voted on.
Cheers
Allan
