Chalice Bridge 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon PlonkOz04

I first tasted this wine in a tutored tasting at Wine Australia. In all honesty, I thought it was pretty rank but as Huon Hooke and other notable winemakers did not declared it faulty, I assumed that was the way it was meant to be. Someone from the winery was at the back of the tasting and could not believe what was being said about the wine. When they saw my review, they sent me another bottle for comparative analysis.

Sealed in Stelvin, whilst there was a touch of sulphur on the nose which masked the fruit below, this second bottle was obviously far better. Although the bouquet was tight and unyielding, hints of cedar, chocolate and clean berry fruit were detectable. The palate was a bit of surprise. Fine-grained powdery tannins, and lots of them are well matched to the weight and intensity of the fruit but the acid is noticeable. Mouth feel is a definite plus. The flavour profile is certainly not sweet, very dark berry fruit and both milk and dark chocolate are pushed aside by a whack of green bean flavours. Muscular-weight, the length and persistent are good and hopefully, with time the components will mesh, the acid will soften and the fruit will surface from under the tannins. Rated as Recommended with *** for value.