The Auswine Forum

Tasting note No.45

If you own this wine, whatever you'll expect will come true in a good way.
A first class winery, a great vintage and a fantastic wine result. A blend of 50% Cabernet and 50% Merlot. Geoffrey and Susan Bull knew what they were after when they've established Freycinet in 1980. This outstanding St.Julien like red was matured in French Nevers oak for 18 months.

Colour looked a little oxidised...looked older than it's age. It took 2 hours for the wine to open up. Amazing blackcurrant and cherry on the nose with savoury red berries from the merlot.
Authorative, medium bodied with charming upfront sweet fruit. Extremely well balanced, aristocratic wine of great Tasmanian breed and class. A wine that makes you think as you sip it slowly. Toasty well handled oak in the background, the finish is long and tasty. Cool climate style.
A very intelligent and classy wine, showing savoury characters from the merlot component. There is a lot of strength and power in there, will age easily for 8 more years.
Very very good and enjoyable. Cost AU $60 and at that, it is a great buy.

Tasted:August 2004

Mr Hun,

I stopped buying the Freycinet C/M in 1995, but still have some 1991 (the best of the pre-1995 years). It sounds as though the style has changed somewhat (I haven't tried 1998), as pre 1995 these wines were very chocolate and spice on the nose which did not follow through to the palate (only 1991 having good palate weight to match the great nose). Maybe I should open a 1991 and see.

Mr Rat,

It's not easy buying Tasmanian wine as some vintages can be disappointing. The 2000 Freycinet Cabernet Merlot is also very good, try and find a bottle, I think it's still possible.
If the 1991 is a good year for Freycinet then you'll be drinking an excellent red no doubt.
Let me know.
Cheers,
Attila

Opened the Freycinet Cab/Merlot 1994 last night. Tasted like more cab than merlot in this vintage. Approaching its peak. Excellent nose of chocolates and spice. Very good balance and structure. Maybe a tad thin on the middle palate but overall very good -> excellent. If recent vintages are as good, then they are worth cellaring for 10 years to reach this point.

I believe the 1994 was a little behind of the 1998 or the 2000 but by the sound of it, not a bad drink.
I think these last two great vintages will provide the answer just how good these Cabernet blends could be, however I still only buy Tasmanian wines strictlly after tasting them. You don't want to get disappointed at today's costs.
Cheers,
Attila