Life Begins At.....
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/94867
Taylor's St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (Clare Valley, SA) Mitchell Taylor, on the history of Clare Cabernet said; "Inspired by Mouton Rothschild, the Taylor's were first ridiculed for planting Cabernet. The 1973 was the first wine and won two trophies across the country." Looks spicy and leafy and correct. It has a lovely cedar nose. Defined. Open. Clare mint. Seriously minty palate has richness to match those tannins. Nice mid palate (as Mitchell looks for). Lovely generosity but contained, with sweetness. Rough, blocky tannins. Workmanlike but very real. Excellent Clare Cab. Drink: 2012-2020 $70 per bottle Tatachilla Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (McLaren Vale, SA) Welcome back from the edge Tatachilla. With a long and proud history of value wines, it has been very sad to watch your recent decline into wine boredom. If this Cabernet is anything to go by however, it's nice to have you back. The positivity comes because this 2010 is easily the least coarse, most vibrant Tatachilla Cabernet in many years. Its still darkly coloured, meaty and blackcurrant jube drenched, the mid palate driving the wine in typical Vale style, yet its also juicy, the tannins less bumbling (though still bulky), the medium to full bodied style a little on the simple side yet still appreciably well built. Polite clap for Tatachilla. Drink: 2012-2020 $18.95 per bottle Pepper Tree Calcare Cabernet 2010 (Coonawarra, SA) Jim Chatto, Pepper Tree's winemaking head honcho, is incredibly excited by the 2010 Pepper Tree Coonawarra and Wrattonbully reds and likely for good reason. This Calcare is going to need more time to come together though... It's a minty, dark and very firm wine is this Calcare, the oak a big thumping wallop over a slightly hard, wall-of- tannin driven palate, everything signed off with some equally firm acidity and alcohol. All structure, no curves at present, there is some dusty chocolate fruit in there so no need for alarm. Patience required regardless. Drink: 2016-2022+ $42 per bottle Soul Growers Provident Shiraz 2010 (Barossa, SA) Another day, another killer Barossan red. As usual with the Soul Growers wines, this Shiraz manages to balance the competing interests of fruit richness and intensity with a savoury side. Uncommon balance indeed. It's still a chocolate cake rich, plush, ripe sort of Shiraz with plenty o' sweet berry fruit cuddled by unsweet oak. What makes this so impressive is that sensation of limitless depth, coupled with a vibrancy that suggests old vines and wisened heads, complete with actual tannins. Great drink now or in 6 years time. Drink: 2012-2020 $25 per bottle www.the-Retiree.com.au /Summer 121 About The Reviewer Andrew Graham 2009/10 WCA Wine Journalism 'Young Gun; Wine Judge; Gourmet Traveller WINE and Breathe Hunter Valley magazine contributor; LattéLife columnist; National Liquor News Tasting panellist and Chablis lover who fell into the liquor industry chiefly to buy cheap beer. Over a decade later and I'm still here, now studying towards a Masters of Wine Technology and Viticulture, and still spending all my money on beer and wine... For more reviews visit my site the Australian Wine Review at www.ozwinereview.com. au which is dedicated to talking about my obsession - everything vinous... You can also follow me at twitter. com/ozwinereview or facebook. com/AustralianWineReview or gplus.to/AndrewGraham Wine Reviews 16.5 Score /20 17.7 Score /20 Score /20 18 Score /20 18