A magnificent and opulent core of ripe mulberry, intense cassis and crunchy blackcurrant and capsicum fruit denotes an expansive and generous cabernet. It’s all tightly contained within a tense cage of firm, fine tannins and dark chocolate oak, which unite to draw the finish out very long. It’s at once explosively voluminous and tightly compact, […]
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Density and generosity meet immaculate purity and tightly scaffolded structure, as layers of dark fruit intensity wash over dark chocolate oak and into a finish of streamlined focus, enduring persistence and impeccably polished balance. There’s an elegant liveliness in the midst of such concentration, with fragrant lift and bright acidity. Tannins are very finely textured. […]
readThis is a Cape Mentelle of tightly coiled restraint and classical elegance. Its medium hue is not particularly deep for this warm vintage, reflecting its understated alcohol and well-tempered palate weight. Layers of crunchy red- and blackcurrants coast effortlessly through an impressively long finish, charged by tangy acidity and superfine tannins of mouth filing structure. […]
readNotes of dark chocolate and coffee oak propel blackcurrant and cassis fruit on the bouquet. The palate is honed and structured, with impressive definition of taut, fine tannins scaffolding precise blackcurrant fruit, with merlot providing body to the mid palate and cabernet franc its fragrant lift. Finely structured, earthy, drying tannins furnish impressive definition and […]
readFraser Gallop makes its presence known not in volume or gloss but in classic, savoury, structured definition. There’s a classic, old-fashioned feel to the style, in all the best ways, yet in time its elegant violet fragrance and beautifully medium-bodied black fruits slowly emerge. A dignified and carefully crafted cabernet blend for the long-haul. $33 […]
readMargaret is one of the most graceful and alluring wines of the vintage, revealing its pedigree slowly, reticently, yet with great assurance. This release from this 1973 Wilyabrup vineyard is one of enticing grace and poise, built around a focused core of black- and redcurrant fruit, still tightly coiled and reticent in its youth. Dark […]
readBlack fruit depth meets fragrant violet lift. Vasse Felix captures ripeness, intensity and fruit concentration in a well-honed, medium-bodied style, built for the long-haul. Tannins are well structured and supportive, yet very fine and polished, drawing the finish out very long. Another great Vasse Felix for the cellar. $30 at OurCellar.
readA pretty, fragrant bouquet of violets, blackcurrants and black cherries heralds a palate at once fragrant and elegant, exactingly focused in its varietal precision and tight-grained and confident in its tannin profile. There are complex notes of sweet tobacco leaf, cedar and graphite. Impeccably honed, this is a beautiful and enduring Xanadu, the essence of […]
readAn elegant and fragrant Margaret River cabernet of pure rose bud, redcurrant and tobacco aromas. The palate is refined and medium-bodied, presenting the perfect tension between fragrant delicacy and confident structure. Impeccable fruit remains the focus from start to long finish. This is a new release, currently only at cellar door.
readWith impressive purity and refinement, this is a Margaret River cabernet that sustains fragrant rose hip perfume amidst accurate black- and redcurrant fruit integrity. It’s classic, refined and finely structured, backed by firm, fine tannins of enduring confidence. An excellent release for Killerby and a great value expression of Margaret River. $26 at Cracka (2011).
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