Cabernet dominant nose with blackcurrant, berry, coconut/vanilla oak, dried herb and roast meat. Smells good - like a 389. On the palate quite meaty with baked red berry fruit, currants, spice, aniseed and noticable slightly sappy oak. Assertive tannins that look a bit hard. Tannic lightly herbal finish. I suspect this will soften out and become a better wine over the medium term. Not a great 389 but a pretty solid effort considering the tricky vintage. I might add that I think there is a vaguely medicinal/bandage overtone to be found in this bottle which is not necessarily a negative thing. Just an observation.

Rated : 88 Points
Tasted : Feb06
Alcohol : 14.5%
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008 - 2012+