Margaret River / Cranbury.

[Jersey]

Hi there. A couple of nights ago I had my usual weekly rashion of lamb (Australian import) and with it my first Vasse Felix Cabernet / Merlot ('01). I found it had the same nose charachteristics as the '98 Leconfield and '00 Petaluma cabernet merlot. I would describe the nose of all three as Cranbury / floral? (going by one of my wifes candles). This is simmilar to a Wynns John Riddoch I had last year, not sure of the vintage. It is an extremely relaxing and enjoyable aroma. Firstly I want to ask if you are familiar with this nose, what other wines have this. The palets are all quite different but that nose is orsome . I picked up a case of the '01 Petaluma and it dosn't seem to have the same aroma. Great wine none the less. Other question I have is what is really good from Margaret river or other parts of Western Australia. I have one Cullen Diana '01 $55.00us and I'm at the end of a '00 Verse 1 which has gone down without any help from my wife (sign of a really nice bottle). Not good at tasting notes except A) didn't get through the bottle B) just Made it C) Going back through the rubbish to write the label and get some more D) Opening another & convincing my wife it would be a crime not to get a case. By the way Swedish meetballs and beetroot are the meal with the verse 1, good match up IMHO. Also 707 98'is it peaking? (was told this by a wine shop dude) how about the '99? I don't believe it, but was told to drink up before it's over? Also I know there is a column that's pretty upsetting to you's in Aus but what are the wine prices you see in the U.S that really gripes your a** so I can go out and accumulate, sorry to be insensitive but what the hey , when in Rome... e.g Wolf blass Platinum '98 cab sav for $49 and''01 platinum shiraz for $60.00. I havn't tried them but can access them.
Thanks,
Mick.

[707]

Hi Mick, I'm jealous of the prices that some of our top wines sell for in the US. We can't afford Platinum here, about US$110.

I think the character you're picking up is a cool climate herbaceousness, can be overdone but in balance it gives great class to Cabernet.

Keep an eye out for Katnook, Balnaves, Parker Estate, Majella and Highbank from Coonawarra. Vasse Felix (particularly their Heytesbury), Cape Mentelle, Cullen Dianne M, Gralyn and Moss Wood from Margaret River.

1998 Bin 707 peaking? Try another ten years! Suggest you check with us on the forum about such matters rather than a shop assistant in the US. Bin 707 is a very long lived wine, particularly in the classic vintages like 1998. The 1999 may be even longer lived. Bin 707 is a multi region blend and contains Coonawarra and Margaret River.