Two tastings of this now (April and June) with consistent results, the screwcap performing exactly as expected, and to my mind a much better closure for these wines than the shonky little corks they use in the Estate Cabernet and Shiraz. It’s a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc with the remainder being Malbec and is due for release 1 July. I tasted this bottle over a couple of days and it looked better on the second.

It’s quite refined and subdued with blackcurrant and red fruits, chocolate, tobacco, menthol and a touch of green bean - falling more to savoury than fruit sweet. On the palate medium bodied with a mix of red and black berries, chocolate, tobacco and some greener leafy flavours. It has good fresh acid and fine lightly chalky tannin but feels a little compressed and blocky on the palate. Still, it’s not without savoury charm, drinkability and a touch of sophistication.

Rated : 89 Points
Tasted : Apr08
Alcohol : 14%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2012+