Taltarni Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Pyrenees, Vic)
$26, Cork, 14%
Source: Sample
www.taltarni.com.au
I wanted to like this. I really did. Especially after driving past the (stunningly located) Taltarni vineyards on Sunday and tasting numerous Pyrenees Cabernets (which I very much enjoy) over the weekend. The problem is this wine carries the stewed fruit and green tannins of what Jeremy Oliver (correctly) calls 'both under and over ripe fruit' and it's a character that I rather dislike.
Full red in the glass, this Taltarni Cabernet has a brutally ripe nose of prunes, cedar and blackcurrant, topped off with Pyrenees mint/eucalypt. It's an unquestionably ripe and regional nose, though just a fraction cooked. On the palate it's built large and firm, with somewhat subdued leafy fruit and green, hard, lingering tannins. A wine that's all structure with little fruit, I (sadly) didn't enjoy this much. Cellaring wise it will go long term, but I doubt whether it will ever be balanced. 15.5/85
(Wondering out loud, I'm guessing that the last couple of hot summers and significant drought(s) have played a part in the imbalances here?)
2009/10 WCA Wine Journalism 'Young Gun; Wine Judge; Gourmet Traveller WINE and Breathe Hunter Valley magazine contributor; LattéLife & The Retiree columnist; National Liquor News tasting panellist and Chablis lover who fell into the liquor industry chiefly to buy cheap beer.
An ale festival at the White Horse
1 hour ago
Speaking of stunning Pyrenees vineyards did you drop past Dalwhinnie Andrew? It's been way too long since I've had one of their wines and was wondering if you had any up to date opinions mate?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Chris P
Sure did my friend. Notes are being written as we speak and all I can say is that I'll be buying some :)
ReplyDeleteI dropped past Dalwhinnie and no matter how much noise I made at the cellar door no one was around. Missed out on the tasting because I eventually just left. Should have just taken all the bottles off the bench and tried them at a picnic later that day. Pays to go on a weekend.
ReplyDeleteBring the notes!