Fraser Gallop Estate 'Parterre' Cabernet Sauvignon 2022-2011

[Waiters Friend]

G’day

For my last vertical tasting of the year, we met (as usual) at the wonderful Lulu’s Little Bistro. We were privileged to be joined for this event by Dario Sirotti, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Fraser Gallop Estate. Dario was in support the last time I hosted a vertical of this wine (in 2020), and the write-up of that event can be found here:https://forum.auswine.club/viewtopic.p ... al#p160150.

On this occasion, we looked at 12 consecutive vintages, from the just-released 2022 back to 2011. There’s a couple of schools of thought around vertical tastings -going oldest to youngest can show evolution of winemaking style and possibly the impact of maturing vines, whereas youngest to oldest allows you to see the evolution of the wine as it ages. Neither is perfect.

Although these wines are (correctly) labelled ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ they contain two or more of the other Bordeaux grapes as well, and the grape composition is included for each wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon component is between 85% and 89%. All wines were made by th
e legendary Clive Otto.

And so to the wines:

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Malbec, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot. 13.7% ABV.
The nose is full and dusty initially, showing eucalypt, cassis, blackcurrant, mulberry, cedar and a little vanilla, and balsamic. There’s black olive on the palate, with some bright red berries and cherries, more blackcurrant and vanilla / cedar / sandalwood. One taster observed wild strawberry. There’s also a fruit sweetness which we were advised is derived from partial whole bunch fermentation – approximately one third of the cabernet component. (This is common to all the Parterre cabernets). Fresh acid and fine but grippy tannins complete the wine, which finishes medium to long.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot. 14% ABV.
From a cooler vintage. The nose is dusty and relatively modest with some florals (violets, rose), cedar, and softer red, blue and black fruits / berries. There’s also a sense of greenness -apparently not from unripe fruit, just the cool vintage. There’s blackberry and mulberry on the palate, along with some almost tangy red berries. Acid is soft, with fine drying tannins, and a medium to long finish. This was escribed as a pretty wine.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV.
A bigger nose than the 2021, with ripe blackcurrant, blackberries, mulberry, cassis and some dark chocolate. There’s also some rose and Turkish delight. The palate shows olive tapenade, blackberry, tangy red berries and the fruits are fleshy. Reasonably high acid, firm tannins and excellent length. Well regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 14% ABV.
From a cooler vintage. Pyrazine / green capsicum on the nose, with soft red and black berries and plums, vanilla, milk chocolate, violets, and some dried herbs (rosemary especially) and some eucalypt. The palate is surprisingly intense, with more red and blue berries (rather than darker fruits), tomato leaf, milk chocolate and some graphite. Gentle acid, fine (almost spiky) drying tannins and a medium to long finish.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot,1% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. 14.1% ABV
A typically dusty nose, with some intensity. Ripe dark fruits, vanilla, dark chocolate, violets, baking spices, rosemary and eucalypt on the nose. The palate is rich and textural, with ripe black berries, dark plums, chocolate, and some red fruits and baking spices. Medium to high acid, firm (one taster said ‘gravelly’) tannins and just the right amount of supporting acid. A very long finish and highly regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: 86.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.6% Malbec, 4.9% Petit Verdot, 2.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.8% Merlot. 13.6%ABV.
Green capsicum, eucalypt, nori, saltbush, blackcurrants, violets and tomato leaf on the nose, along with some dried herbs (especially thyme). A less intense palate than previous wines, with some graphite, and a noticeable lack of fruit weight. It’s minerally, with acid slightly dominating, and fine but sharp tannins. Medium to long finish. Debate ensued as to the longevity of this wine (i.e. to drink now or hold).

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc.14% ABV.
A very dusty nose, with a reasonable balance between red, blue and black fruits. Some violets, tomato leaf, dried herbs and milk chocolate. Ripe, fleshy and developing fruit flavours, with dark chocolate, savoury and spicy oak, and tomato leaf. Slippery tannins, balancing acid and a long finish. For me, this was balanced with some richness, but not overly ‘big’. Another taster noted ‘elegance.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2015: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot. 13.9% ABV.
A less intense nose, with red cherries, a little blueberry. A soft palate (in fact, a soft wine overall) with red and dark fruits, gentle acid, supple tannins and a medium finish. Some tasters noted freshness 9for a 10-year-old wine).

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2014: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec,10% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot. 14% ABV.
A bigger nose, with graphite, black and blue berries, cedary oak, eucalypt, violets, cassis and blackcurrant. The palate shows more of the blueberries, cedary oak and some balsamic glaze. There’s an excellent line of acid and firm drying tannins. A touch of earthiness is the concession to age perhaps. Long finish and well regarded by the group – an example of a classic Margaret River vintage.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2013: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot. 13.5% ABV.
A touch of VA opens the nose, with some eucalypt / menthol, blackcurrant, violets, cocoa powder, iodine, vanilla and thyme. The palate is round and substantial, with opulent dark fruits, firm but integrating tannins, high acid, a touch of leather and a long finish. Well regarded by the group.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet 2012: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot. 14% ABV.
The nose show olive tapenade, mint, red cherries, vanilla, volets and thyme. There’s considerable palate weight with ripe black fruits, dark chocolate, and a touch of leather. Silky drying tannins and a good line of acid and a long finish. A better wine than I was hoping and holding well for its age.

Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2011: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.5% Malbec, 5.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot. 14.5% ABV.
A dusty nose, with menthol, brambles, red fruits, dark chocolate, saltbush and olive. There’s less dark fruits than on previous wines. This is belied by the palate, which shows lush dark fruits, and liquorice-like inkiness. Some leather, integrated tannins and high supporting acid. Medium to long finish. This was my final bottle of this wine, and it is declining ever so slightly compared to earlier bottles.

Wine of the night was the Fraser Gallop Estate ‘Parterre’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, with the 2014 receiving an honourable mention.
My sincere thanks to Dario Sirotti from Fraser Gallop Estate for graciously giving his time, information and considerable background to the wines, and to Lulu’s Little Bistro for hosting us and for crafting a special lamb dish to accompany the wines.

Cheers
Allan