Tasing note No.43
Named after the explorer Sir Douglas Mawson. This is the second vintage of this export (as well as Aus market) label. Made by Peter Gambetta, this is a blend of 52% Cabernet sauvignon, 26% Shiraz and 23% Merlot. The grapes were picked from Limestone Coast vineyards. The wine was aged for 20 months in 50% new and 1 year old French oak, the other barrels were 2-4 years old. Alcohol is at 14% vol.
Colour still black cherry with lighter red on the edge of the glass. Beautifully rich nose of black cherries, raspberry jam and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is very ripe. Very rich in the middle, the Shiraz stands out, with lovely savouriness from the Merlot in the tow. Excellent grainy oak support on the finish. Very well balanced. Top drinking now, will evolve for an other 3 years. Parker gave 86 points which is fair, since the Cabernet component doesn't stand out with clear varietal definition but this wine is much better than the AU $17 pricetag. I've enjoyed it a lot, it was very tasty, round and satisfying. There was no sediment in the glass (obviously a filtered wine), this one needed no decanting. I left a glass of it for the following morning but by then it didn't show as well, however it was still delicious drinking when I first opened it.
Cheers,
Attila
Tasted:June 2004.
1999 YALUMBA Mawson's- Limestone coast red
Certainly didn't take long to broaden its horizons, did it? The inaugural 1998 vintage was labelled 'Coonawarra'. Either the 'overdelivery' of a new label fell off very quickly, or Yalumba fell foul of the Coonawarra boundary ruling - although I though a '99 would have made it through, surely...
cheers,
Graeme
cheers,
Graeme