John's Blend 2001 No 28 Cabernet Sauvignon April 05

 

The wine was fermented and aged in American oak for a massive 40 months, although from tasting it, the fruit is certainly up to the task. The bouquet showed excellent complexity and was ever-changing as it opened up; chocolate, coffee, plum, blackcurrant, eucalyptus, menthol, a touch of tobacco leaf with an obvious vanilla and smoky oak influence all being evident. A muscular-weight, well structured wine retaining some elegance and exhibiting excellent power. Abundant ultra-fine tannins needs time to integrate and to allow the fruit to completely surface. Palate flavours are predominantly savoury with a layer of sweet underlying fruit and alcohol thrown in for good measure; chocolate, coffee, black fruit and loads of eucalyptus with a little coconut on the tail that finishes long and dry. This is a baby of a 2001 that is not about to fall apart quickly and is rated as Highly Recommended with *** for value. Margaret River or Coonawarra it is not; enjoyable it is!