The Auswine Forum

[b]2001 Cascabel Grenache et al [/b]14.5%

On the eye, this one is very bright clear ruby/cherry red with long thick legs. Got a whiff of cherry liqueur on the nose, together with a hint of VA. The palate is medium+ bodied, with the alcohol seemingly providing much of the body. Fruitwise, initially sweet cherry dominates, together with touches of summer berries moving to bitter chocolate on the mid-palate. Finishes a touch hot spirity. Soft tannins suggest that it is a wine for drinking while relatively young.

I have to admit that I can't quite work this wine out - do I like it or hate it? At present, the high alcohol seems to throw the wine out of balance, and I wonder if the fruit is there to counter the alcohol (perhaps a product of a . However, given 12 months in the cellar, I feel that it will improve. Until then, I think I will reserve judgement.

Any other comments/experiences with this wine?

Cheers
Phil

This is one of my favourite drinking wines..........I love its savouriness compared to most Oz wines - I too am unsure of its cellarability. The ageability of Grenache is an interesting question - I recall 5 to 7 year old bottles of Rockford Grenache and the Californian Bonny Doon Clos de Gil Roy being interesting aged Grenaches. Recently the 2001 Cascabel has not sung for me so much ......I wonder if I was taking it for granted. Looking forward to the 2002 from that cooler vintage. Still , compared to most 2001 SA Reds it's pretty bloody characterful. I suppose we just have to put some in the cellar and see....one major criteria for ageing beneficially is a feeling of " power in reserve " which I don't think this wine has - as it is so pretty and complex now !