Winetastic

During a recent trip to the Mount Pleasant cellar door, one of the staff kindly slipped us a bottle of the Brands Laira “Blockers” Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 to try. I have not really explored the Brands label, a stablemate to Mount Pleasant within the McWilliams company, however this particular bottle was festooned with gold trophy stickers.

Vibrant blood red in colour with exceptional clarity, the aromas were initally a bit closed with brooding blackcurrant and aniseed evident. In the mouth this cabernet is powerful and full bodied with juicy dark berries, black olive, restrained cedar oak and a dash of spices. The fine yet pronounced tannins are approachable now, however the structure also suggests medium term cellaring potential.

I was surprised when I looked up the alcohol content, never would have picked it from what I saw in the bottle as even now the wine is so well balanced and very very drinkable. As a matter of fact I wish I had another glass right now…

Score: 93/100
Price: $20
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 15.5%
Other Opinions: Winorama
Would I buy this wine?
RRP is $25 however you should be able to source this wine for under $20 - a bargain at that price, I will buy some.

Yesterday afternoon I felt a large disturbance in the wine blogging force, as if millions of keyboards were clacking away, then were silenced. Fortunately all is not doom and gloom since I was soon notified by Gary Walsh of Winorama fame that he had teamed up with Campbell Mattison of The Wine Front to form what is likely to be the most frequently updated wine review site in Australia.

While it is sad to see what was a brilliant free resource in Winorama being placed on the back burner, no doubt the $40 per annum subscription fee to The Wine Front is now even better value.

Good luck GW as you join the dark side of professional reviewers!

I noticed that Penley Estate’s “Phoenix” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 has been getting some good press as a great value for money red with a little cellaring potential in its back pocket. Armed with this information I picked up a bottle to review at the thrifty price of $17.

Very drinkable for a young cabernet, showing aromas of blackberry and ripe dark cherries. The palate is ripe, fruit forward and well balanced with a fine, approachable tannin structure and well integrated oak. Very easy drinking now and should be more interesting after 5 years in the cellar.

Although the wine did improve slightly over a few hours, there is no need for a decant if drinking now. What more is there to say? Well done Penley Estate on a great value for money Cabernet.

Score: 90/100
Price: $17
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 15%
Other Opinions: Penley Estate, TORBWine
Would I buy this wine again?
Yes, will definitely put a few away for a short sleep in the cellar.