Voyager Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004

This was a sample shown at the Voyager Estate Masterclass held in Brisbane. All Cabernets were from 2011 with a few odd balls thrown in. This was one of them and it stacked up tremendously against its younger counterparts.

Some bright fruit initially. Black fruits and cassis as you'd expect. Briary notes, redcurrants and that familiar Margaret River trait of bay leaf add further complexity. There's some smoke too. Faint if anything.

Tannins are robust showing plenty of life to this well balanced wine. There's years of life left in it.

Excellent.

Region: Margaret River

RRP: 2004 unavailable. 2005 - $110

Source: Sample - Voyager Estate Masterclass, Brisbane

www.voyagerestate.com.au

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Saddlers Creek "Bluegrass" Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

A most impressive expression of Cabernet Sauvignon right here!

Saddler's Creek is nestled near the Mt View corner of the Hunter Valley. Some great wines coming out of here and they have a loyal wine club membership to back this up.

Fruit for their wines not only comes from the Hunter, but is also sourced from McLaren Vale, Wrattonbully and Langhorne Creek, which is where the fruit for this wine comes from.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is the bigger ballsy type steering away from the herbal styles. The fruit is dark in the glass with an equally impressive hue.

A wonderful nose of dark fruits and cedary oak is seductive. The oak sit behind the fruit nicely. There is a hint of fruit sweetness there too.

The palate is delicate and soft with the fruit powering away. A minute fraction of fruit sweetness is not a detractor. Superb length and super fine, supple tannins round off a neat piece of work.

This 2004 vintage was taken from my cellar and the 2008 are currently available in some independent stores as well as through a large chain store. The wine is well priced and for around $30 you will not be disappointed. Grab one for now and another to put to sleep for a few years.

Who: Saddler's Creek http://saddlerscreek.com/

What: Cabernet Sauvignon (14.5% abv)

Where: Langhorne Creek

When: 2004

How: $30

Yalumba The Signature 2004

Yalumba's The Signature label represents the best fruit from the vintage. This wine is absolute class and elegance from a cracking Barossa 2004 vintage.

A blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Shiraz, the wine was aged for 22 months in French, American and Hungarian oak.

Super deep purple in colour, aromas of chocolate, blueberries and dark fruits leap from the glass with a touch of vanilla.

The nose follows through to the palate of dark berries, chocolate and vanilla - this is flavour country! Lovely texture - smooth as a silk, with lovely warmth and persistence coupled with subtle oak. Damn this is good!

The finish is super long and fine. A gem of a drop that will have you standing and applauding.

Taltarni Reserve Shiraz Cabernet 2004

A mighty impressive wine this one. Lovely dark fruit. Nose of mocha, chocolate. Some mint ever so slightly present. Palate was full and great length. The oak was impressive here but not overbearing. Every sip made me even more intrigued. Great comment on Twitter by Matthew Jukes the week after I had this wine, "What an amazing wine and yet another example of why this blend defines Aussie red."
Plenty of reasons for you to go and check it out yourself.