Oliverhill 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Sept 2003

When I tried this at the winery in May it had been blended but not bottled and was hard to judge so I was glad to have a second opportunity to try it a few months later.

Dusty oak, warm cassis/blackcurrant fruit combine with menthol and mint to provide a varietally correct McLaren Vale Shiraz that’s still a brooding baby. As with all wines made by this winery it’s extremely well made and faultless. The tannins are there but smooth already, the acid is very youthful and the ample weight pure fruit has been judged to perfection. On the palate there is beautiful clean sweet blackberry spectrum fruit with a hint of liquorice that is well supported by drying tannins and some savoury minty aspects and a bit of chocolate to provide interest.

The wine needs time to show its best, about four or five years would be good and I would expect the rating of Recommended with **** for vale will have increased in that time to Highly Recommended. This is potentially the best wine I have tried from this winery. If you are looking for an inexpensive McLaren Vale Cabernet, look no further.