The Auswine Forum

I recentlly attended an organised tasting of cabernets of various age, see below. I took limited notes - just enjoying the wine. Most were drinking fairly well, with the exception of the Pikes and the Mildara. The standouts however were the Wynns 90, Taltarni 85, Mount Mary 83 and suprisingly Reynella 63. Wine of the night had to go to the Mount Mary Quintets 1983, it just sang pure aged cabernet with little oak influence and still retaining an excellent acid/tannin/savory fruit balance. The freshest wine not suprisingly was the Wynns 90. Still enough fruit there and colour still with plenty of purple hints affiriming its youthfulness. Indeed, drinking very well now.

Wirra Wirra ‘The Angelus’ Cabernet 1990
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet 1990
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet 1980
Basedow Winemakers Selection Barossa Cabernet 1988
Karl Seppelt Grand Cru Eden Valley Cabernet 1986
Taltarni Moonambool Cabernet 1985
Pikes Clare Valley Cabernet 1984
Mount Mary Quintet Cabernets 1983
Moss Wood Cabernet 1983
Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet 1982
Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet 1977
Seppelts Keppoch GW200 Cabernet 1968
Mildara Coonawarra Cabernet 1966
Chateau Reynella Commemorative Cabernet 1963

Cheers,
Stuart

I am not at all surprised that some of the older cabernets are still drinking well. From my own cellar I know that the 1982 cabernets from Chateau Tahbilk and Taltarni are still alive and have yet some distance to go. And these were regular bottlings, not reserve wines. Perhaps the secret of these long lasting wines were their balance, unlike some of the present day ripe, oaky, high alcohol wines. Just a thought.

Cheers..........Mahmoud.

[quote="Mahmoud Ali"] Perhaps the secret of these long lasting wines were their balance, unlike some of the present day ripe, oaky, high alcohol wines. Just a thought. [quote]

For sure, I couldn't agree more.
It's good to see these elegant styles are having somewhat of a revival at the moment, with more to come in the future no doubt.
Cheers,
Stuart