Welcome to old school Coonawarra Cabernet. Mint. Tannins. Slightly warm, ripe fruit. More tannins. Stern acidity. You wouldn’t call this anything but full bodied, and the best years are quite some time away. But that’s a key part of the appeal here – it’s genuinely substantial, proudly tannin-led wine, and every sip reminds of its length and breadth. Conservative score is a nod to how much better time it will be in time. Best drinking: Wait until 2024 maybe, then drink for 15 years (or more). 17.7/20, 92/100. 14%, $56. Would I buy it? Half a bottle in 10 years time.
About me – Andrew Graham
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At 18, I started working in a small suburban bottleshop, largely to buy cheap beer. It was my first year of university, slogging through physics and chemistry, so a liquor shop seemed like fun. Needless to say, I discovered wine, and my life evolved with a unique dual focus - wine and environment.
Twenty years later and I spend my days wearing many (wine) hats, mostly as a writer, presenter and marketer.
I now judge at wine shows around the world, sit on the Australian Wine List of the Year awards panel and was once a Wine Journalism Young Gun (but baby that was years ago).
Currently, I write features for a variety of publications including National Liquor News, Gourmet Traveller WINE and the RAS, plus I'm a former Lifestyle FOOD channel wine expert.
In 2019 and 2020 I was voted in the Top 30 Best Wine Critics in The World, and in my spare time, I'm a sucker for punishment and run trail ultra marathons, much to the delight of my long-suffering family. Read more about me here or get in touch to book your next wine event with me here
2 Comments
I’d reach for “The Signature” in a heartbeat and leave this for someone else!
Colin, I’m inclined to agree with you since I am a fan of the uniquely Australian Cab-Shiraz blend. Another vote for the Signature.