The Auswine Forum

I tasted a Capel Vale 2005 cabernet tonight and it was what i liked. Balanced understated, not at all loud in taste, but it goes down smooth and had plenty of flavour.

Can you fellas recommend some 04, 07 MG wines?

Not much 07 out as yet so thats easy.

As for 04, what price range are you after? The Capel is a great value drop. In that region Gavin has the Sandalford Protege 2005 cabernet blend that might be similar to the Capel. Was decent at cellar door a couple of months ago but I suspect side by side the Capel is the better bet. Haven't tried the Windows Margaret River Cabernet 2005 but that gets a good rap here.

Otherwise I would seek out the Houghton's regional range as they are good efforts in the lush style of the Capel or if you want to get serious, go up in price to the Howard Park Leston and Scotsdale range which are very good indeed but might need some time in the cellar. In that price range there are quite a few around actually but they are a fair bit more than the Capel.

cheers

Carl

I'm told the Voyager Estate Cab Merlot from 2004 is quite smart. Not sure if its been released yet.

The 2004 Moss Wood Cabernet is world class, but not cheap - circa $80 pb.

Mike Hawkins wrote:I'm told the Voyager Estate Cab Merlot from 2004 is quite smart. Not sure if its been released yet.

I don't think it is. I was looking at their website the other day and also checked out the current range retail (and bought the 03) - 04 not to be seen yet. Will be keeping my eyes peeled though - like many others I suspect.

Mike Hawkins wrote:I'm told the Voyager Estate Cab Merlot from 2004 is quite smart. Not sure if its been released yet.

The 2004 Moss Wood Cabernet is world class, but not cheap - circa $80 pb.

I eyed off the Cape Mentelle Shiraz 04 for ages and never got any (yet). I was at a tasting at Royal Sydney Golf Club about a year or so ago and it was a standout for me.
The Voyager Cab Merlot is another wine I am interested in, but I need to buy now for drinking in a minimum of 6.5 to 8.9 years after vintage ; )

04 Woodlands Margaret Cab Merlot - very special.

07 is said to be a cracking MR vintage for both reds and whites. Won't know for sure until late next year.

I recently was introduced by a friend to the Swings & Roundabouts brand. I hadn't heard of them but as usual a remcommendation of a recommendation and here wer are. We had a bottle or two if I remember of their 04 Merlot Cabernet at dinner. Think it was about $20 a bottle. It was quite complex and could easily be cellared for another few years but was equally enjoyable as it stood (if I remember as it has been a few months).

Had the Vasse Felix 2004 Cab Sav on Saturday night - nicely balanced, firm tanins but not over the top and a good core of cassis fruit, not green at all.

Sorry it's not much of a TN, still have my training wheels on.

Nick

Sandalford Shiraz 2004 - Margaret river fruit. This shiraz is probably the best WA shiraz I have tried for a while. Peppery nose with good fruit int he berry/plum spectrum. Blackberry and plum on the palette with firm tannins and oak in good balance - 94 pts, well worth a look around $33/bottle

Was there recently, and there were many good to excellent 2004's on tasting, from memory, in no particular order:

- Gralyn Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gralyn Old Vine Shiraz
- Vasse Felix Heytesbury Cabernet Blend
- Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon
- Three Hills GSM
- Cullen DM Cab Sav

Cheers,

Monghead