1999 LECONFIELD Coonawarra Cabernet

[Attila]

Tasting Note No.1

Upon release this wine received less than enthusiastic reviews in The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide. Lucky for me, I tasted the wine first and read the review later. Since then I've drunk this wine on two more occasions in restaurants and I was satisfied by the quality both times. I decided to pull a bottle out of my cellar and drink it at home with a long time wine friend. He too couldn't understand what the bad reviews were all about.

The colour is still dark red with beautiful crimson hues.On the nose there is concentrated cassis and blackberry. A rather authentic Coonawarra, you would pick it in a blind tasting easily. Beautifully balanced sweet fruit follows the promise of the highly perfumed scents and aromas. The wine is full bodied with excellent tannins and the well handled oak gives good support. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A perfect Medoc blend that is original and un-Bordeaux like at the same time. If I had to liken it to a Medoc, the area of St.Julien would spring to mind. It is however a perfect expression of Coonawarra. The finish is long and flavoursome.The wine will age for an other 10 years easily. It cost me AU $36 and it's well worth it.
It must be noted that the vintages of 1998,2000 are less good in my opinion.
Tasted: July,2003

[Rory]

I think Leconfield suffered badly in the marketplace after thier attrocious oak handling with the '98 vintage, which should have been a stellar wine due to the great season.
The '99 suffered the hangover from it, and the '00, if I am correct, is a straight Cab/sauv, which only served to confuse everyone more.
Personally, I think they've lost thier way a bit, but I'm very impressed with the Petit Verdot that can only be obtained from cellar door.
Regards,
Rory

[JamieBahrain]

I tried the 99 6months ago and agree with your impressions Attila. It did have a hint of what I felt was vegetal complexity. The dark fruit dominace made this pleasant.

Good leconfield vintages and good Plantagenet vintages, when savaged retail, the best value cabernet in the country IMHO.