If you had to pick a <$100 Aussie Cabernet...

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:29 am

Guys

Looking for a less than $100 RRP Aussie Cabernet, will be part of a round the world Cabernet blind tasting

Needs to 'represent' Australia in terms of a 'typical' style. Needs to be reasonably common/ obtainable, any recent vintage and quality as good as poss within those contraints.

What would you choose??

Will also be doing

NZ
USA
Chile
Spain
Italy
France

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:32 am

Typical style? Representing Australia? All the old arguments about regionality are going to fly here, but a few that stand out are,

Penley Estate Reserve Cab ( 2002 was very good)
Woodlands Kevin 2001
Moss Wood 2001
Cullen 2001
Balnaves The Tally

Also tried Almaviva and Montes M last month from Chile, very smart wines.

Cheers

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:57 am

Grant wrote:Typical style? Representing Australia? All the old arguments about regionality are going to fly here, but a few that stand out are,

Penley Estate Reserve Cab ( 2002 was very good)
Woodlands Kevin 2001
Moss Wood 2001
Cullen 2001
Balnaves The Tally

Also tried Almaviva and Montes M last month from Chile, very smart wines.

Cheers

The Almaviva is a cracker, but wont quite be under $A100. I also got to try the Concha y Toro Don Melchor which Parker also rated 95. Nowhere near as good, but a little cheaper.

Where did you source these?

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:11 am

Wizz wrote:
Grant wrote:Typical style? Representing Australia? All the old arguments about regionality are going to fly here, but a few that stand out are,

Penley Estate Reserve Cab ( 2002 was very good)
Woodlands Kevin 2001
Moss Wood 2001
Cullen 2001
Balnaves The Tally

Also tried Almaviva and Montes M last month from Chile, very smart wines.

Cheers

The Almaviva is a cracker, but wont quite be under $A100. I also got to try the Concha y Toro Don Melchor which Parker also rated 95. Nowhere near as good, but a little cheaper.

Where did you source these?

Wizz,

Moscow! A long way to go to get a drink. Also tried the Montes Alpha Syrah, shows a lot of promise in a wild, alternative style.

GD

JamieBahrain · Post by **JamieBahrain** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:11 pm

Personally- my favourites.

1997 Craiglee

1994 Cyril Henschke- lots of time in a decanter.

But for the theme. Seppelt Dorrien for a well regarded Barossa cabernet

Roscoe · Post by **Roscoe** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:01 pm

I think that in terms of the theme, that it should be a Coonawarra or Margaret River wine. Obviously there is no right answer here (like many things) but I would say that Coonawarra and MR are generally (not universally) considered to be the premium cabernet sauvignon areas in Oz and thus the candidate should come from those areas. If you just want "the best", we will of course never agree and it doesn't really matter where in Oz it comes from. I assume that is why you requested some typicity. While I respect Jaimie's suggestions, I don't think that Barossa Cab has any more claims to typicity than MR or Coonawarra. That's my 2p's worth.

Billy Bolonski · Post by **Billy Bolonski** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:53 pm

MR & Coonawarra are good.

Are we forgeting Yarra Cabernet?

I would suggest a Yeringberg Cabernet would be an exellent example of a classy, classic OZ cab.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:44 pm

Try the Graylyn Cab 2001

Jay60A · Post by **Jay60A** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:32 pm

Margaret River was classic in 2001.Coonawarra has had only off to good(-ish) vintages recently ... top 3 wines then?

Cape Mentelle - not tried - 2001 was $55 in Liquor King (Greenlane), I snapped up the last four but I've seen it elsewher. Looks like a good 'un.

Moss Wood - not bought - 2001 is still at Scenic Cellars, at over $80.

(I tried Voyager Estate CM 2001 after raves from Campbell: I found it a bit green on the nose though agree it had a gorgeous palate).

rwatkins · Post by **rwatkins** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:48 am

Which vintage of the Montes Alpha Syrah did you have? We still have the 2000 here in Canada and when I last tasted it a few months ago it was very old world in style, lots of bacon, raw meat, saddle leather. Very Cote Rotie - like. Thanks - Rick

Craig(NZ) · Post by **Craig(NZ)** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:22 am

Anyone tried the Vasse Felix Heytsbrey lately??

May drop the $$ to $70pb to make the cost less prohibitive for my beer drinking mates

Thinking

NZ - 00 Coleraine
Aus - 01?? Vasse Felix H
Spain - Pesquera
Italy - Tignallio how much is this a bottle now?
USA - Ridge Santa Cruz
Chile/Arg - Montes Alpha
French?? - can i get a classified growth for $70 from a reasonable vintage?? Saw vinotica had 96 Carrudis Lafite for $70 something, but really should do a later vintage. Have a 00 Pavillion Rouge but too young??