The Auswine Forum

Hi TORB,

I just read Chapter 3 of your latest tour diary. Fascinating stuff, so thanks for all the hard work.

I'm curious though, about your impressions of the 2001 Tatachilla 1901 Cab Sav. I notice that in previous tasting notes, you described the wine as Excellent, with **** for value, but now rate it as only Highly Recommended with *** for value. I'm wondering if you can comment on the differences you saw between tasting sessions. I have 12 at home, and am wondering if I should crack one open to find out for myself

Thanks again,

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

As I have said on numerous occasions, the TN is the most important thing; not the rating.

Here are the two TN's.

Tatachilla 2001 1901 Cabernet Sauvignon SA2004 will sell for $40.00 at CD when it is released. For the first time, this is 100% McLaren Vale Fruit. Who says McLaren Vale doesnÂ’t make good varietal Cabernet? This is a well-constructed, classy wine with a solid core of pure, deep, persistent, ripe fruit. Savoury blackberry, black cherry, some spice and chocolate add a sophisticated complexity to this muscular, tight wine that has an excellent intensity and finish. It demands another sip. Rated as Excellent with **** for value, the wine should peak about 2008 or later.

Tatachilla 2001 1901 Cabernet Sauvignon May 05 sells for $40 at cellar door. The bouquet delivers French-oak coffee, blackcurrant and chocolate which is replicated on the palate. A veritable baby, it has been well crafted and shows excellent balance between deep, pure fruit, fresh acid and tight, fine dusty tannins. Ample-weight with a tight structure, it should become harmonious in time; and it demands that time. Rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value, the rating should improve as it should enter its drinking window around 2010.

If you look at the second note, it says the rating should improve as it enters its drinking window in 2010 and that it demands time. In other words, when I first tasted it, the wine was very attractive and showed more more fresh fruit. As you would expect, some of that wonderful intensity has faded and whats more, it will continue drop off over time. During that period, the complexity will increase as it climbs out the other side. Its not uncommon for wines to go into a bit of a hole for some time.

I am still confident the wine will be as predicted with time. The core basic sturctural aspects of both notes are similar, and that is the important thing.

TORB,
I have the same question. I just ordered a 6 pack of the 1901. I've like the Foundation in the past, but thought I'd try the 1901 after reading your earlier notes. Highly Reccommended from you still sounds like a fine wine, but I was rather looking forward to finally tying something you reated Excellent. Among my many other faults, I'm a sucker for high scores.

Hi Stuart,

I was there at the most recent tasting, not the first one, I agree with the HR 3-stars (@ $40+), I got my 9 from Langtons @ $34 delivered, so that's 4-stars at that price.

Ric will no doubt comment on the difference in the ratings, different days, different bottles a year apart does it for me, it's still a nice wine, I think you should indeed open one to see what it's like as a yong wine.

Bob wrote:TORB,
I have the same question. I just ordered a 6 pack of the 1901. I've like the Foundation in the past, but thought I'd try the 1901 after reading your earlier notes. Highly Reccommended from you still sounds like a fine wine, but I was rather looking forward to finally tying something you reated Excellent. Among my many other faults, I'm a sucker for high scores.

IMO, if you want such a(n Excellent) wine, at an excellent price, go for the 2001 Paxton Shiraz. It's currently listed on Brian's site. I bought a case on spec from their recent winery clearance, tasted a bottle, and ordered another case the very next day. Lovely stuff.

Paxton's still slips under the radar. I too liked the 2001 Shiraz but rate their initial release, the 1998 Shiraz, as their best to date.

The 1998 is just starting to enter it's drinking window so I've had several recently although I now might hold the balance for next year.

I'll post a TN when I next crack one.

707 wrote:Paxton's still slips under the radar. I too liked the 2001 Shiraz but rate their initial release, the 1998 Shiraz, as their best to date.

The 1998 is just starting to enter it's drinking window so I've had several recently although I now might hold the balance for next year.

I'll post a TN when I next crack one.

Sorry, forgot to log in. That was my comment on the Paxton. I've not tried the 1998, having come into this wine-drinking caper too recently to remember the good old days, when a new suit was made entirely from wool and candy bars cost 10c

Have you tried the 2002 yet Steve? I can only assume it'll be good, given the vintage and their obvious winemaking talents.

Also, did you receive the money for that other wine?

Stuart