The Auswine Forum

Begun my search for absolutely top Australian Cabernets and Bordeaux blends. I'd be interested in the current 2004 vintage or any other great currently available wines you'd consider 95 points or over. Must be under AUD $100.
These wines will represent Australia in next year's overseas tastings.
Can anyone help with suggestions?

Thank You.
Attila

Attila, it's a bit early yet for 2004 Cabs, but there are a few I've tried that could fit the bill:

Balnaves The Tally $80 or a little less at the right places
Punters Corner Reserve Cabernet (CD only, about $60)
Woodlands Reserve Cabernet (not sure what name they've given it)
Dalwhinnie Cabernet 2004

From 2003
Vasse Felix Heytesbury
and maybe Yarra yarra - The Yarra Yarra (haven't tried it though)

If you believe JH, the Turkey Flat Cabernet 2004 is up there too.

Went to a tasting evening hosted by Vanya Cullen recently... I have only tried a few vintages of the Diana Madeline but this one (2004) is clearly the best. Vanya herself rates it as potentially the best wine she has made. The Woodlands is called Margaret and is a cracker but not the same class as the Diana Madeline.

Julio wrote: The Woodlands is called Margaret and is a cracker but not the same class as the Diana Madeline.

I reckon it is. Easily...and nearly 1/2 the price.

I don't think enough 2004 cabs are out yet to make the final selection. Most of the big names anyway.

GW

Julio wrote:Went to a tasting evening hosted by Vanya Cullen recently... I have only tried a few vintages of the Diana Madeline but this one (2004) is clearly the best. Vanya herself rates it as potentially the best wine she has made. The Woodlands is called Margaret and is a cracker but not the same class as the Diana Madeline.

Julio,

The Margaret is not Woodlands top wine. It sells for around $35, if you can find it. The name changes most years, but the Emily May and Kevin (Reserve Cabernet's,$80) that I have tried are a match for anything produced in Margaret River, including Cullen.

Cheers

Roger that Grant. The Woodland's Kevin (2001) takes pride of place in my collection. I have a case of the 2003 (Ivy Kathleen) on pre-order... expect delivery in November. The best cabernet in Margaret River in my opinion.

Atilla, nearly every wine i try i rate over 95 points.

Craig(NZ) wrote:Atilla, nearly every wine i try i rate over 95 points.

You'll have to change again soon Craig, I think JH is using your scoring system on some wines these days.

Hiya

What about the 04 Sally's Paddock. I tried it at wine australia and thought it was pretty good, and definitely under 100 dollars.

Hiya

What about the 04 Sally's Paddock. I tried it at wine australia and thought it was pretty good, and definitely under 100 dollars.

monghead wrote:Hiya

What about the 04 Sally's Paddock. I tried it at wine australia and thought it was pretty good, and definitely under 100 dollars.

I agree, it is excellent. It wouldn't be over 95 on my point scale though, maybe 91-92?

Red Bigot wrote:Attila, it's a bit early yet for 2004 Cabs, but there are a few I've tried that could fit the bill:

Balnaves The Tally $80 or a little less at the right places
Punters Corner Reserve Cabernet (CD only, about $60)
Woodlands Reserve Cabernet (not sure what name they've given it)
Dalwhinnie Cabernet 2004

From 2003
Vasse Felix Heytesbury
and maybe Yarra yarra - The Yarra Yarra (haven't tried it though)

If you believe JH, the Turkey Flat Cabernet 2004 is up there too.

Thanks RB,

I'll investigate your recommendations, I've heard of the Woodlands and looking for it already and the Turkey Flat may work out although I don't remember tasting great Cabernet from that producer.

Cheers,
Attila

My Cabernet "quaffer of the year" has been the:

2004 Red Knot Cabernet.
Has sold extremely well in the US and in the shop I work in, we sell more of this wine than any other single wine by a long way.

When we have it on special, it outsells all other Cabernets combined.

I understand that the 2005 is about to hit the shelves and has high raps on it.

The only 2004 Cabernet I've tried to date that's really impressed me is the Majella - absolutely stunning fruit and length, I can see why it won the big trophies in Brisbane.

I haven't tried the Yarra Yering #1 yet but one of the Blacktongues has absolutely raved about it which could be a good indicator. Again I haven't tried it yet but Jeremy Oliver's TN of the Lake's Folly sounds very promising too.

Other I've tried that you might find interesting include the Thorn Clark Shotfire Ridge Quartage & Longview Devils Elbow - both trophy winners and widely praised, it would be interesting to see what they think of these overseas.

Cheers,
Ian

Depends when you’re planning it but if the 04 MossWood is out I reckon you could be in for a treat. Basically 04 Marg’s CabSav is a blinder vintage so try the old faithfuls like some already mentioned and maybe Cape Mentelle, Howard Park also. Look out for these on release some should rival 01 vintage.

Red Bigot wrote:Attila, it's a bit early yet for 2004 Cabs, but there are a few I've tried that could fit the bill:

Balnaves The Tally $80 or a little less at the right places
Punters Corner Reserve Cabernet (CD only, about $60)
Woodlands Reserve Cabernet (not sure what name they've given it)
Dalwhinnie Cabernet 2004

From 2003
Vasse Felix Heytesbury
and maybe Yarra yarra - The Yarra Yarra (haven't tried it though)

If you believe JH, the Turkey Flat Cabernet 2004 is up there too.

I agree that the Dalwhinnie 2004 Cabernet is an excellent wine. I had a bottle at Guillaume's for my birthday last year, and was sufficiently impressed to buy a dozen bottles within a week.

Very well balanced, lovely, fine-grained tannins giving it a lovely mouth-feel, dark berry fruits with a hint of cherry and violet.

I picked up some 1993 as well, which is drinking very nicely now.

04 voyager estate - cant remember point score

cheers
Seddo

Im looking forward to trying the 2003 Almaviva (Baron Philippe de Rothschild & Concha y Toro) which is on the way looks like an interesting blend :

Assemblage
Cabernet Sauvignon: 73%
Carmenère: 24%
Cabernet Franc: 3%

Barrel Aging
18 Months, new French oak.

Lakes Folly Cabernet about $55
Mount Mary Quintet $100ish

camw wrote:

monghead wrote:Hiya

What about the 04 Sally's Paddock. I tried it at wine australia and thought it was pretty good, and definitely under 100 dollars.

I agree, it is excellent. It wouldn't be over 95 on my point scale though, maybe 91-92?

True.... missed that...

Then, agree with
- Woodlands
- Cullen
- Moss wood
- Balnaves Tally

What about
- Wantirna Estate Hannah or Amelia blends
- Wendouree

Cheers,

Monghead

Grant wrote:

Julio wrote:Went to a tasting evening hosted by Vanya Cullen recently... I have only tried a few vintages of the Diana Madeline but this one (2004) is clearly the best. Vanya herself rates it as potentially the best wine she has made. The Woodlands is called Margaret and is a cracker but not the same class as the Diana Madeline.

Julio,

The Margaret is not Woodlands top wine. It sells for around $35, if you can find it. The name changes most years, but the Emily May and Kevin (Reserve Cabernet's,$80) that I have tried are a match for anything produced in Margaret River, including Cullen.

Cheers

Yeah, the 2004 Woodlands Reserve Cabernet is called "Rachael"

The 2004 Wynns John Riddoch was pretty good.

If you like really <classical> Coonawarra Cabernet, then you can't really go past the 2004 Parker Terra Rossa 1st Growth either (very under-rated IMO),

Cheers
John

Hmmm

I just realised that this post has been resurrected from 2006!

And I think Atilla may have had his tasting already!!!

Hey I know this is an old post, but can’t go past adding my experience of a bottle of 2004 Cullen Di Madeline I opened up. WOWWWWW. This is a very serious wine traveling along a very serious journey into iconic status. Great power with classy finesse, mouthfeel incredible and a very long finish. Still ages ahead of it. Although extremely hard to manage, I really don’t think I will disturb this creature again for quite a while (yeah right ). Up there with the best IMO.

Sam

monghead wrote:Hmmm

I just realised that this post has been resurrected from 2006!

And I think Atilla may have had his tasting already!!!

Yes, I did but never mind.
Wynns John Riddoch 2004 came out on top.
Cheers,
Attila

the petaluma coonawarra is apparently a cracker. i've bought it but not tried it yet... just a thought

I hope it is OK to post this one as I am involved with Rosenvale wines (not in domestic sales)

Try Rosenvale 2004 Reserve Cab Sauv. I believe it is a bit of cracker.
If you want to find more about the wine call James. PM me if you want his contact number.

David

I agree with Brian about the Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2004.

It is a lovely wine.