Pig in the House Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

Pig in the House Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

  07:20    Stu.

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Simply exudes Cabernet from the get-go: cedar, bay, smidgen of doughy oak over sweet accented black fruit. 

Palate conveys a darker edge, subtle clove and spice in the mix. Dark chocolate and carried on a decent length. Happily smash this mid-week with pretty much anything with a red protein, nothing too rich mind. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 10th January
Source: Sample
Price: $25
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Sample courtesy of: https://www.singlevineyards.com/ 

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Huntington Estate Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Huntington Estate Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

  07:46    Stu.

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Red fruit over cedary, malty oak. Shiraz may have top billing, but it's Cabernet Sauvignon that dominates. 

Meat juices, Rosemary and dried herb - resolves to a firmish tannin and following through to a length of generous proportions. Brightness of acidity flowing through, delivering comely notes of bittering chocolate. 

Preferred this with proteins where it wrapped them up and accentuated sweet hints of the meat and juices. 92

Tasted on: Monday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14.09%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve 2021

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Reserve 2021

  07:46    Stu.

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Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Shiraz (21%),and Cabernet Franc (21%).

100% new French oak barriques for 14 months - it's majestic, and whilst that oak is certainly present it wears it well.

Cedar, oak, bay - perhaps a little greenness on first approach - look deeper, see some of that dense black fruit lurking beneath. 

It's softer than one suspect from its 14.5%, an initial deftness to the fore-palate, before tannins and oak tannin weighs in: fine, minerally, mouth-coating with a magnificent spread both in palate volume, and length. 

Structure personified. It's best is ahead of it, but it feels assured and displays its self-conviction now. 96

Tasted on: Saturday 23rd August
Source: Sample
Price: $90
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2023

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2023

  10:29    Stu.

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Released 1st August. Wrattonbully Cabernet (65%) Shiraz (35%) blend - easy on the new oak (18%), along with the use of Foudre. 

There remains a smattering of that oak on the nose: gentle play-doh, residual spice. Fruit begins to speak, black and brambly - heavier notes come to the fore. 

Plush, velvety palate - subtle tannins. Latterly twists of black pepper, anise - the wine building in stature as it blossoms in the oral cavity. Feels good to go now - settled, assured. Yet it's of some sustained presence and that - along with history and pedigree of winemaking - informs as to its path ahead. 94

Tasted on: Thursday 10th July
Source: Sample
Price: $59
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

Schild Estate Narrow Road Vineyard Shiraz 2021

  09:15    Stu.

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From the Narrow Road Vineyard in Rowland Flat, and the site of the original Schild homestead. 

It's a typical structured Shiraz - with a decent splash, 28%, of Cabernet Sauvignon - from the Southern end of the Barossa, with deep set aromatics, of cocoa, coffee grounds, burnt ends. Faint edge of Mulberry, blackcurrant in there too.

There's a plushness across the palate, soft and powdery tannin before a length and presence. Lovely inherent balance and energy, finishing long with a resurgence of the creamy blue fruit. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 23rd February
Source: Sample
Price: $95
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Procork
Website: https://www.schildestate.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

Huntington Estate Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021

  17:13    Stu.

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I'd almost convinced myself I'd seen this before, nearly confusing it with the similarly named and liveried Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (here). 

Here the Cabernet Sauvignon dominant version is redolent of cool autumnal mornings, touch of earthy-headiness lingering, veering to graphite notes.

The palate a contrast to that, with a deep black fruited heart, of blackcurrant and damson. Hint of black tea, pepper, twist of licorice - a complex mix of elements jostling and jockeying for position.

Tannins at turns coarse, with a glossiness in tandem, moving through a finish of some length. Still at a youthful juncture - look to see these elements ease into each other with some additional time. 93+

Tasted on: Wednesday 22nd January
Source: Sample
Price: $100
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Stockman's Ridge Rider Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Stockman's Ridge Rider Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

  12:04    Stu.

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Chocolate, cedary oak, Bay seasoning.

Creamy red fruit palate, soft and sensual - it's delicate frame of 13.1% sets the wine up. Easy going and representing good value.

Nicely structured, finishes on a medium to firm grain of tannin, moderate acids to clean things up. 91

Tasted on: Sunday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 13.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://stockmansridge.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2022

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2022

  07:17    Stu.

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It's a release that needs some time, from the get-go it's somewhat shy and reserved.

Slowly it begins to unfurl, offering red and black fruit. Mineral and earthen glimpses, graphite. Something that manifests, broods even, like gunoil - deep in its core.

A slow burner, from a cool vintage. And one that marks 20 years since the establishment of the Terre à Terre brand under Xavier and Lucy Bizot. 93

Tasted on: Monday 23rd September
Source: Sample
Price: $59
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Yalumba The Cigar 2019

Yalumba The Cigar 2019

  08:00    Stu.

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A delightful, dense black fruited mass is what greets you here. Suggestive oak lurks furtively, framing not dominating.

The palate shows a lick of black licorice, a slick and glossy feel shows it gliding across the palate. It feels composed, graceful in how it presents itself - yet not without some gruff tannins, somewhat acting as a counterpoint to how it presents otherwise.

Generous length. Go the years here easily. Drink now to 2032 92

Tasted on: Thursday 22nd June
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: yalumba.com

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Téssera Wines Middle Child Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Téssera Wines Middle Child Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

  11:47    Stu.

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McLaren Vale Cabernet is - in my view - an oft overlooked pleasure. Shiraz stands tall, attempts have been made to garner Grenache as the hero variety - and that's without mentioning the strong Italian roots in the region that have seen Montepulciano and Sangiovese championed amongst the reds.

Here, a Cabernet Sauvignon with classic dark chocolate and coffee grounds aromas - those deep and dark compounds slowly reveal blue and black fruits within.

The palate is soft, rounded, approachable - oak tannin remnants married to a resurgence of fruit and associated freshness. Acid works in tandem to deliver a generous length - and satisfaction. Go now to 2028. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 26th February
Source: Sample
Price: $26.66
Alcohol: 14.6%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://tesserawines.com.au/

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Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

  09:24    Stu.

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I had the opportunity to re-appraise this at the Huntington Winemaker's Lunch (a great event if you get the chance - disclosure, I have been fortunate to be invited as a guest of the winery on occasion).

On that second tasting, it was reinforced how it is so a wine of depth, of dark black and red fruit sitting on a dense palate with firm tannins.

The Special Reserve is very much a denser and darker manifestation of Cabernet - at least on this showing - within the Huntington portfolio. 

There's a richness too, almost veering toward something that in youth might be considered a balsamic edge. Deep and dense, as though to reflect the rich Mudgee soil, free of the artifice that can be afflicted through excessive oak. 

The palate shows a freshness, a pleasant change of direction at odds to the initial depths that are explored across the palate. For all that, it's certainly assured of a life ahead of it. 94

Tasted on: Sunday 30th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://huntingtonestate.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2020

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2020

  18:33    Stu.

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Cabernet dominant (81%) with the balance of Shiraz.

Black fruit prime here, at least on first showing, for it morphs and shifts - revealing layers amidst the intrigue.

Herbal - think thyme, fennel - and savoury notes supplement that. Whilst it feels coiled at this juncture, it's presence, shape and structure assure of its longevity.

Brickish tannins dominate the finish in a classy manner. 94

Tasted on: Thursday 20th October
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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De Bortoli Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

De Bortoli Melba Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Only made in exceptional years, the Melba is named after Dame Nelly (who gave her name to the peach).

Forget about any presence of peach - or any stonefruit for that matter - here, it's a classically structured Cabernet: black fruit - think plum, damson, hints of blackcurrant - with savoury edges.

Really it's the grippy tannins that win here, coating the palate and giving both length, breadth and depth. As much as you might want to get your hands on Nellie now, patience is a virtue. One for the long haul! 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 25th May
Source: Sample
Price: $160
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://www.debortoli.com.au/

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Edenflo Eden Valley Fresh Prince 2021

Edenflo Eden Valley Fresh Prince 2021

  20:37    Stu.

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Plum, earth, hint of clove

Delicate on entry, the fruit sings, free from encumbrances of excessive oak and artifice.

A delicate grip of tannin, a fine rub, fruit resurgence and a splash of acid for juiciness. It's at turns a comfort, yet playful. An embrace, yet also an indication of time ahead. A lively finish brings it all back again, like getting a second chance all over. 93

Tasted on: Wednesday 30th March

Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: Cork
Website: https://edenflowines.com.au/

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Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2019

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2019

  12:36    Stu.

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It's a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc in the following proportions: 50/48/2%.

Seing a mix (61/39) of od/new oak for eight monnths; to 4000l foudres for a further 11m.

Redcurrant, cedar and bay on the nose. Warming up: chocolate, coffee grounds, earth and floral perfume.

It's lithe, soft on entry and then carrying a certain line of powdery tannin - almost the hallmark for these impressive TàT releases. There's a milk chocolate note on the finish, combined with a little freshness. Classy - balnced, but you just know this has cellarability writ large across it! 93

Tasted on: Saturday 19th February
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://terreaterre.com.au/

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Domaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019

Domaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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Fine and powdery - cocoa like - tannins here; savoury with a smattering of fruit. 

There’s faint touches of old and drying tobacco, olive skins, and it veers toward to something cocoa like. Seeming somewhat devoid of personality and interest, yet without fault. 

The finish is dry, firm, with a residual and persistent length. 87

Tasted on: Tuesday 22nd September
Source: Sample
Price: $16.99
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Cork
Sample Courtesy of: https://www.palatepr.com/

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Angullong Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Angullong Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

  08:30    Stu.

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Tasted this some 6m back when it felt somewhat hollow, time has fleshed it out - a wine for the times,
when extended Covid isolation has led to more sedentary lifestyles and anecdotal tales of weight gain. I digress. 

Cedar, Bay, hints of tomato leaf. Chocolate appears in the frame occasionally, shifting in and out with the ebb and flow of aromatics. 

The palate is fine, with tannins to suit, touch of fleshier fruit in profile to broaden the wine to the finish. 90

Tasted on: Friday 7th August 
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.angullong.com.au/

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Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Geoff Merrill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

  08:30    Stu.

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A blend of McLaren Vale (53%) and Coonawarra (47%) fruit.

Released with the age on it, still retaining an element of youth, vigour and freshness.

Plummy, damson, blackcurrant notes on the nose. The palate conveying an acidic freshness, tannin is firm and somewhat robust still now. Gives a firmness and provides length and depth of flavour.

Somewhat older school in its presentation, an observation - nothing more. Matched this a medium reverse seared rib fillet on the bone, the tannin/protein match-up a perfect pairing to highlight the depth and even of a touch of char in the oak.

In the zone now, yet still with plenty ahead of it. Bottle August 2017 after a whopping 36m in a mix of French and American oak. 94

Tasted on: Saturday 5th June
Source: Sample
Price: $50
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.geoffmerrillwines.com.au/

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De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

De Bortoli Melba Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

  07:30    Stu.

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Cabernet from the Yarra Valley doesn't normally spend 150 days on skins in 1000l  amphora, being then pressed off and sent to older French oak. On this showing perhaps it should.

It's less about the aromatics, as perhaps is logical given from the techniques employed in its making.

It's both silken, velvet smooth, switching to a fine and tight grain of tannin that acts as a vehicle for a wine of depth to emerge through to its finish.

It's deep, classy and displaying a persistence of flavour through to its lengthy conclusion. A worthy inclusion in any cellar. 94

Tasted on: Wednesday 26th May
Source: Sample
Price: $80
Alcohol: 13%
Closure: DIAM
Website: debortoli.com.au

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Ballycroft Small Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Ballycroft Small Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

  08:30    Stu.

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Dusky black fruit over pencil shavings and rolling tobacco. 

It's on the fuller side for Cabernet Sauvignon, which is exactly where winemaker Joe Evans likes the variety. 

Tannins are ultra-fine, a combination of graphite and cocoa. Latterly the wine reveals its power and potency, overt in nature. This is as good as I've tasted a Cabernet from the producer. 92

Tasted on: Sunday 22nd November 
Source: Sample
Price: $45
Alcohol: 14.8%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.ballycroft.com/

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