Amherst 2002 Chinese Gardens Cabernet Sauvignon Sept 04

Another winery that I have no knowledge about so there were no preconceived ideas as to what I was likely to find. The winery is owned by a banking family who is also heavily into farming. The first vines were planted in 1989 and the cabernet vines were planted in 1997. Production is still at the tiny end with 800 cases produced in 2004. 

Only 70 dozen of this wine has been produced. It was matured in 50%-50% French and American oak of which 1/3rd was new. Coffee and a touch of varnish dominated the bouquet. Coffee, intensely savoury with pepper and mint flavours come from a combination of mainly ripe but but some subtle unripe characters. in its favour, the wine finishes with good persistence, is medium weight and has a supple but firm consistency and unobtrusive fine tannins. Acid is lively. Rated as recommended with ** for value.