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The DI taste test Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
27 August, 2008
Page 49
Plantagenet Omrah, Western Australia
100 per cent Cab Sauv; 14.5 abv; 12 months in French and American oak, 10 per cent new, 90 per cent two-year; "near perfect" vintage in Great Southern; UK £8.99
Aroma: pronounced blackcurrant, blackberry, leafy fresh with a touch of cedar and spice
Palate: round and easy with cl assic blackcurrant to the fore and hints of plum, earthy minerals and cocoa. Elegant, neither voluptuous nor confected, with a little black tea tartness on the finish
100 per cent Cab Sauv; 14.5 abv; 12 months in French and American oak, 10 per cent new, 90 per cent two-year; "near perfect" vintage in Great Southern; UK £8.99
Aroma: pronounced blackcurrant, blackberry, leafy fresh with a touch of cedar and spice
Palate: round and easy with cl assic blackcurrant to the fore and hints of plum, earthy minerals and cocoa. Elegant, neither voluptuous nor confected, with a little black tea tartness on the finish
----=== Hess Select, California ===87 per cent Cab Sauv, 8 per cent Merlot, 5 per cent Syrah; 13.5abv; fruit harvested early August in Napa, Paso Robles, Sierra Foothills, Lake County and Mendocino; UK £10.99
Aroma: complex nose of red fruit jam with notes of oregano , rosemary, tobacco leaf and redcurrant
Palate: big and jammy with blueberry, plum, cinnamon and clove although mid-palate is overshadowed by hefty tannins, lacking freshening acidity. Surprisingly doesn't live up to the promise on the nose----=== Wolf Blass Presidents Selection, South Australia ===100 per cent Cab Sauv; 14 abv; includes fruit from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley; vintage of "good to outstanding quality"; UK £12.99
Aroma: dense and brooding with fruits of the forest yogurt, smoky menthol hints and a mineral, pencil-lead streak
Palate: Big , open, plenty of black fruit with touches of strawberry jam, cherry. Vibrant acidity throughout signals a lengthy future ----=== Richard Hamilton Hut Block, McLaren Vale, South Australia ===94 per cent Cab Sauv, 6 per cent Cab Franc; 14 abv; grown on sand and black loam over clay; 18 months in 36 per cent new oak, 5 per cent one to two-year, 59 per cent older; vintage "fine, mild, free from rain"; UK £11.99
Aroma: leads in with pronounced menthol, backed by crème de cassis and fresh crushed berries, vanilla notes
Palate: opens up bright with blackcurrant, black cherry supported by clean acidity and a dusting of tannin. Juicy fruit on the finish too, but a distinct dip in the middle
Aroma: complex nose of red fruit jam with notes of oregano , rosemary, tobacco leaf and redcurrant
Palate: big and jammy with blueberry, plum, cinnamon and clove although mid-palate is overshadowed by hefty tannins, lacking freshening acidity. Surprisingly doesn't live up to the promise on the nose----=== Wolf Blass Presidents Selection, South Australia ===100 per cent Cab Sauv; 14 abv; includes fruit from McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley; vintage of "good to outstanding quality"; UK £12.99
Aroma: dense and brooding with fruits of the forest yogurt, smoky menthol hints and a mineral, pencil-lead streak
Palate: Big , open, plenty of black fruit with touches of strawberry jam, cherry. Vibrant acidity throughout signals a lengthy future ----=== Richard Hamilton Hut Block, McLaren Vale, South Australia ===94 per cent Cab Sauv, 6 per cent Cab Franc; 14 abv; grown on sand and black loam over clay; 18 months in 36 per cent new oak, 5 per cent one to two-year, 59 per cent older; vintage "fine, mild, free from rain"; UK £11.99
Aroma: leads in with pronounced menthol, backed by crème de cassis and fresh crushed berries, vanilla notes
Palate: opens up bright with blackcurrant, black cherry supported by clean acidity and a dusting of tannin. Juicy fruit on the finish too, but a distinct dip in the middle
