Woodlands 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Aug 04

Their flagship wine, it was hand plunged in open concrete fermenters and then spent two and half years in new French oak. The bouquet, although refined and classy does not show much except for its class and obvious oak influence. The purity of the fruit is incredible, off sweet on the uptake with savoury nuances and underlying sweet blackcurrant, chocolate and coffee which finishes with excellent persistence. Ample-weight, tannins are very fine and unobtrusive, the structure is layered and the complexity is well developed. There are some cerebral qualities to this wine that should be long lived but it needs time. Rated as Highly Recommended with room to improve, as it matures around 2010, the only criticism is the * for value at $80.