Winetastic

It appears as if we saved the best for last when it came to reviewing three wines from Old Mill Estate, their 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon being the pick of the bunch.

Aromas of ripe blackberry, plum, choc mint and a bit of alcoholic heat, the palate shows slightly tart blackberry fruit, spicy oak and a hint of liquorice. A round mouth feel with fine drying tannins, the wine also has enough acid to lead into a well balanced finish.

This young Cabernet was surprisingly approachable as a drink now proposition, however it did take some time in the decanter before the aromas and flavours really opened up. That being said, it should improve with bottle age over the medium term.

Score: 90/100
Price: $24
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 15.5%
Other Opinions: Torbwine, Wine Without Wank
Would I buy this wine?
Yes, worth putting a couple of bottles in the cellar

The first of two vintages from the same producer are up for review today, the Old Mill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004. The recommended retail price is $24, however it can be picked up for $20 at Squashedgrape.

Dark crimson in colour, vibrant blackberry aromas are supported by tobacco and dusty earth lurking beneath. There is plenty of chewy tannin, bold dark fruits and spicy oak on a full bodied palate.

Overall I found the tannins too overt for drinking young, however it has the structure and balance to age gracefully over the medium term.

Score: 88/100
Price: $24
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Torbwine, Wine Without Wank
Would I buy this wine?
I prefer the 2005 Cabernet from the same producer

Here is a wine style you don’t see every day: An off-dry Rose made from Touriga grapes that originate from Portugal, where they are traditionally used to make vintage port. The wine in question? Old Mill Estate Rosé 2007.

Vibrant flamingo red/pink, this Rose exhibits subtle cranberry and strawberry aromas. Cranberry flavours continue onto the palate, which is initially dry and savoury but finishes with a hint of sweetness. Simple and refreshing.

Overall its a good little Rose, I feel it would show its best with appropriate food that would allow the savoury style of the wine to shine through.

Score: 87/100
Price: $18
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 12%
Other Opinions: Winorama, Wine Without Wank
Would I buy this wine?
I would probably pick up a bottle of Turkey Flat or Charles Melton Rose instead.

The Lake Breeze “Bernoota” 2004 is a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet grown in Langhorne Creek. This particular vintage picked up trophies at the Adelaide and Perth wine shows in 2006, and as such is festooned with gold stickers.

Up front aromas of dark fruits and berries, mint and an underlying dustyness lure you into the glass. Intense and full bodied, this blend shows ripe plum and dark berries, puckering tannins and hint of spices and bitter cocoa on the finish.

I can see how this wine would stand out from the pack at a wine show and it is excellent value for the price. Recommended for those who like their wines coming straight down the line at full throttle.

Score: 90/100
Price: $17
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14.5%
Would I buy this wine again?
For the price it would be interesting to see how a couple of bottles were showing in a few year time.

I picked up a bottle of the Bleasdale Shiraz Cabernet 2003 the other day because it has been getting a fair bit of good press and it also happened to be on special for $10 per bottle.

Aromas of ripe plums, red fruits and a hit of leather, this blend of 51% Shiraz and 49% Cabernet Sauvignon tastes a bit dirty, with dark fruits, bitter herbs and a little tannin and spice. A couple of hours later the fruit character was more foreward, however the wine still failed to excite.

I must admit that although it is a decent wine for the money, I fail to see what the fuss is all about. For a similar price you could pick up a far better bottle, such as a Mount Pleasant Philip Shiraz 2002.

Score: 82/100
Price: $12
Closure: Screwcap
Alcohol: 14%
Other Opinions: Bleasdale
Would I buy this wine again?
No

The Lake Breeze Bernoota 2002 is a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. I picked up a bottle to try that was on special for $17, marked down from $20.

Aromas of mint, plum and blackberry, the wine has a distinct purple colour with mauve hues. Dark fruits dominate the well balanced and full flavoured palate, supported by a hint of spicy oak.

Initially this blend was tasting distinctly like a mint laden cabernet, however that soon faded and the Shiraz elements came to the fore. It went quite well with beef slow cooked for many hours in red wine and herbs.

Score: 7/10
Price: $17
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Other Opinions: Lake Breeze, Winorama
Would I buy this wine again?
Probably not, the Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 is a better choice.

The Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 was recommended by the staff at Dan Murphy’s Menai, I was told the distinct minty flavours would be an ideal match for our roast lamb meal, the suggestion was spot on.

Deep crimson with purple hues, this Cabernet has vibrant aromas of plum and blackcurrant. Full flavoured and well balanced, lush forest fruits up front lead into a long finish of mint, cedar oak and some spices. The sound structure of the wine is enhanced by smooth and drying tannins. Lakebreeze have further information and tasting notes available.

Although it is not neccessarily an indication of a wines quality, the past 11 vintages of the Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon have won 3 trophies and 19 gold medals at wine shows, a solid track record.

Score: 9/10
Price: $18
Closure: Cork
Would I buy this wine again?
Definitely, value for money and quality abounds.

Malbec is a variety which is usually blended with Cabernet and is rarely bottled on its own, so when I spotted this one from the Potts Family Winery, I figured an experiment was in order.

The Bleasdale Malbec has a fragrant fruity nose with a little pepper and some earthy tones underneath. Fairly soft and medium bodied, cherry and dark fruit flavours are evident through to a dry, earthy and slightly spicy finish. The Bleasdale website is out of date and lacks a tasting note for the 2002 vintage.

Unfortunately 3-4 hours after opening, the intoxicating fruit aromas and flavours completely vanished, leaving the wine a flat and bitter shell of its former self. In short, it became undrinkable.

Score: 5/10
Would I buy this wine again?
No, there are better wines available for $13, it was worth a try.