The Auswine Forum

I'm having a 2004 Cabernet tasting at Blacktongues in a couple of months and want to have up to five from Coonawarra and up to five from Margaret River. This will be for regular drops not the super premiums like Tally, Parker First Growth, JR, Moss Wood, Dianne Madeline, Gralyn etc

I am of course fully conversant with the Coonawarra offerings but would be pleased if those more knowledgable on Margaret River and elsewhere could suggest the best 2004 Cabernets.

If there are any excellent Cabernets from other regions from 2004 I'll consider those as well.

Thanks in advance

For a 'regular drop' I'd consider the Vasse Felix as an option, a very nice 04 Cab Sauv. with some nice oak behind the blackcurrent.

If you're looking outside Coonawarra & MR, I'd suggest the 2004 Kay Bros Amery Cabernet - a bottle I had recently was very good indeed, and should fit into this tasting without a hitch.

Another 2004 from McLaren Vale that could be considered is the standard Foggo CS at around $30. I haven't tried this one, but I know Herb thought it was better than the 2002 - he was so impressed with the Cabernet that year he set aside a parcel of fruit to be bottled for a seperate Reserve label.

Cheers,
Ian

You may be already considering this, but I'd like to see the Woodlands Margaret 2004 in the lineup. Hopefully at $33 it is at your level.

cheers,

David M.

d'Arenberg Coppermine
Wirra Wirra The Angelus

Vasse Felix
Suckfizzle
Sandalford
Howard Park Leston
Cullen D-M

I've just seen listed a Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe Cabernet 04, don't know if it's real or a mistake.

Red Bigot wrote:d'Arenberg Coppermine
Wirra Wirra The Angelus

Steve said this one's "for regular drops not the super premiums" - I think these two are a little pricey for this tasting.

Another vote for the Woodlands. Might also go for Brown Hill (either basic or reserve, both good, ~$16 and $25).

Cheers

Dave

n4sir wrote:

Red Bigot wrote:d'Arenberg Coppermine
Wirra Wirra The Angelus

Steve said this one's "for regular drops not the super premiums" - I think these two are a little pricey for this tasting.

Yeah, I didn't take enough notice of that, but Angelus is around $40, Coppermine under $50, not in the $80 and up of the others mentioned by Steve.

Please just throw a Mamre Cab 04 in the mix purely just to see how it fares totally blind. I have a little bit of this wine and have put them all away for a bit of a sleep after drinking a couple, found a dramatic change after a few hours air time. Reviews amongst the forum of this seem quite black or white with people either raving about the wine or having no idea what the fuss was about. I think it's pretty tops but curious to see others opinions in a blind tasting set up against other wines.

Cheers

Jester

Not sure if they've made it to 2004 yet, but Juniper Estate Cab 2001 was very impressive

Might be worth a look at the 2004 Longview Devil's Elbow Cabernet. Enjoyed it enough at cellar door last year to pick up a few bottles, probably my pick of the bunch from the Adelaide Hills.
Cheers
Nick

Ian S wrote:Not sure if they've made it to 2004 yet, but Juniper Estate Cab 2001 was very impressive

I think they are only up to the 2003.

Turkey Flat
Greenock Creek

Hiya Steve,

I agree with the Woodlands for a top WA cabernet. Outside WA and SA, what about the Giaconda cabernet for a VIC representative? Also, are you after a straight cabernet only? Otherwise, the Quintet or Wantirna Amelia could be worth a thought...

Cheers,

monghead.

Nick wrote:Might be worth a look at the 2004 Longview Devil's Elbow Cabernet. Enjoyed it enough at cellar door last year to pick up a few bottles, probably my pick of the bunch from the Adelaide Hills.
Cheers
Nick

Was equal with the Setanta Cabernet for me. Both are great cool climate cabernets. Highly impressed.

As for WA wines, Plantaganet made a decent cabernet but I haven't heard much recently.

cheers

Carl