Elderton 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Nov 08

Tasting Note

Sydney Time

Elderton 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Nov 08

In case people get the wrong idea and think that I can't say anything critical about Elderton or their wines, I can and do. Like many wineries that send samples, the wines arrived with supporting information. It contained the usual blurb. A press release on the three Estate wines, an individual page of details for each wine, and a list of distributors etc. Nothing strange about that. Well in this case that's not quite true. Whilst most wineries are trying to promote their green credentials, the Elderton information was printed on very heavy, and no doubt expensive, card stock. The eight pages weighted 122 g, whilst eight pages of normal paper weighs 40 g. That may not sound like much, but it is three times the amount of wood being consumed; unnecessarily.

The bouquet shows sweet and off-sweet nuances, together with dusty notes and coffee oak which provide interest and character. On the palate, its Cabernet through and through, with deeply-seated fruit, fresh acid, and loads of dusty tannins. Blackcurrant and cassis leads to herbs on the mid-palate, together with chocolate, cigar box and plum flavours which are off-sweet. A solid, credible Cabernet, it's a muscular in weight with a firm consistency and a solid structure. It compares favourably to Coonawarra Cabernet at this price point. Rated as Highly Recommended with **** for value, it should be in its peak drinking window between 2012 and 2017; sealed under screwcap.