The Auswine Forum

Wow what a line up (held last night at Matilda Bay). The very best of Margaret River in a single tasting.

Very difficult but these were the extra extra standouts.

04 MossWood Cab Sav – my first taste, luckily, was near the end of the bottle and was really starting to show off its framework. I came back a few times and it was just asking to be aired and left alone for a long time. Outstanding

05 Cullen Di Madeline cab/merl– brilliant mouth feel with very fine powdery tannins to back up outstanding fruit. Joyful.

04 Cape Mentelle cab sav – this would be in top few of the night. Very rich but not over ripe. Should turn out to be the real goods. Will be a classic CM in time.

03 Voyager cab/merl – even amongst these juggernauts, this wine still stands out in the crowd and remains in my contention for wine of the year. Just pure class. Unfortunately 04 was only in the imperial form at auction. Can’t wait to try that. 99 was very good also but I think (know) 03 will be better.

96 Xanadu reserve cab sav – have had many a bottle of this in the past and is drinking superbly. Was up there with best aged tasting on offer. 99 Lagan was also a beauty. Am sure they will be back on track to produce great wines like these again.

94, 99, 05 Devils Lair cab sav – this was the big surprise for me. All of these wines were outstanding. 94 and 99 were scrumptious.

05 Pierro chardonnay – this is definitely what a red wine drinker should try before ruling out white. Very smooth buttery well integrated class oak ending long. Yummy stuff. Did not get to try Leeuwin art serries chard to compare unfortunately (was way too caught up in cabernet bliss) but most reports seemed to pip Pierro the winner, just.

Not bad, glad to try

04 Vasse Felix Heytesbury – was impressed but not overly. May try again soon. Not bad.

04 Howard Park cab sav – unusually well drinking for the youth. Quite approachable, very balanced. Wanted just a little more oomph that might pop up in time but wasn’t completely sure. Still very good wine. 99 and 01 were again quite a complete package.

There were plenty more that I can speak about but these were the most memorable. Fantastic night and they raised a few bob for Dr Cullen foundation in the imperial auction. MossWood 04 went for around $7000-$8000 from memory.

The Cullen 2005 was my standout. Stunning mouthfeel for such a young wine, yet the potential is obvious. All of the top end reds and whites were good though. On the cheaper end, the Planataganet CS 2004 was a real surprise. Would be good to cellar some of these.

Did you try any Woodlands cabernets?

I agree with comments regarding the Plantagenet 2004 Cab - very classy stuff.

I believe Vanya Cullen thinks the 04 and 05 Diana Madeline's will prove to be the best wines they have made. If you have tried the 01 that is a massive statement.

Look forward to them Geoff (I'm sure you are).

Dont think that Woodlands was there.

In regards to Planataganet 2004, I did forget to mention it. That was the overall people’s choice surprise packet. There was a lot of talk about how impressive it was. Another unfortunate miss on the night for me, but to be honest, I have always been a fan. Usually has a great varietal cabernet character (on good vintages of course).

Was a great tasting in a lovely setting.

Quite liked the 07 Plantaganet Shiraz actually as a surprise packet.

On the night I liked the 03 Cape Mentelle cabernet. Seriously structured. The 05 Cullen was superb but for sheer drinking pleasure the 94 Devil's Lair was the goods. A cabernet in its drinking window beats better contenders that aren't ready yet.

The Cape Mentelle 06 chardonnay was slightly broad and was surprised that was the case in such a cool vintage. I wonder what others will do with 06. As for the 05's The Leeuwin was the wine of the tasting for me closely followed by the Pierro and the Heytesbury third.

2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
A pale cream colour. A very shy nose giving nothing away. A perfect texture on the palate; not too heavy and not too light. A rich palate of white peach with a touch of chalk (yes chalk) with a long long finish. If you go searching you may be able to find the oak but it really is wound up tight. Outstanding wine and should drink well at the end of the decade and well into the next.

cheers

Carl