The Cabernet Edition

Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of the world’s great red wine varieties and Australia is capable of producing some fine examples. Over the past decade the popularity of Cabernet Sauvignon with Australian wine drinkers has seemingly declined with the emergence of other more 'trendy' varietals and blends. However in recent times Cabernet seems have experienced a resurgence and winning back the hearts of Australian drinkers. 

Australian winemakers have always been capable of producing some world-class examples of Cabernet Sauvignon across a range of regions. Coonawarra, Margaret River, Clare Valley, Yarra Valley and the Barossa Valley are amongst those regions capable of producing fine examples. On the back of these wine regions and the skilful Australian wine makers, Cabernet should once again rise and challenge Shiraz as the nation's most popular red wine variety.  Until this time Cabernet will remain undervalued and many bargains will be had for those with a penchant for Cabernet. This edition of Corker features what we believe to be some of the finest and best value examples currently available in Australia.

Also included in this edition is a Spring-time clean-out with some very limited wines available at a once-off clearance price. This will be of particular interest to those with an interest in some top quality Pinot at great prices. 

We hope you enjoy this edition

The team at Auscellardoor.

Ph - 1800 088 022

www.auscellardoor.com.au

Polleters Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - $24.90

SOLD OUT

This has been a huge selling wine over the past month in no small part due to the 96 point rating it recently picked up by James Halliday. Less than six dozen of this outstanding wine is now available.

The Pyrenees region in Victoria has been producing seriously good wine for many years, few would be better than this one from Polleters. Polleters is a small family-owned vineyard, however if they keep producing wines of this quality expect to hear plenty more about them in the future. This a rich Cabernet loaded with flavours of cassis, blackcurrant and careful oak handling. Once again this delivers exceptional value drinking.

“96 Points. Full purple-red; serious cabernet sauvignon, with pristine blackcurrant aromas and flavours; perfect alcohol and extract, oak likewise; fine tannins. Screwcap. 13.5% alc. To 2030” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Cabernet 2005 - $21.90

Situated in remote Southern Western Australia is the Frankland River region which has claims to being one of Australia’s most under-rated (and isolated) wine regions. During a visit to Frankland Estate it is hard not to be mesmerised by the passion and quality of this family owned vineyards. The Rieslings have rightly gained a reputation as some of Australia’s whilst the reds are seriously good and under-valued. One that particularly grabbed our attention was the 2005 Isolation Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.

This outstanding cool climate Cabernet has characteristic dusty, earthy aromas with dark fruit, savoury and spice notes which are complemented by an elegant structure with intense blackcurrant fruit flavours and soft tannins. An utterly delicious Cabernet that simply over-delivers on quality.

Kirrihill Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $18.50

For some time we have been hearing about the near perfect conditions that prevailed in the Clare Valley throughout the 2006 vintage. Therefore it would come as little surprise that some of the 06 Clare Valleys Cabernet’s we have tasted of late are nothing short of spectacular. One of the finest, and without doubt the best value to grab our attention of late in the Kirrihill ‘Bothar Umair’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. Campbell Mattinson recently rated this wine 95 points, saying “this is the one you have to buy”. 

“95 Points. OK, this is the one you have to buy. It's got structure, weight of flavour, a touch of class and an enormous amount of value. It tastes of blackberries and chalk, cedarwood and toast, and while there's a hint of mint-like flavour it helps the wine, rather than detracting. The raft of tannin here is better suited to a wine at a far higher price - but who's complaining! There's a leathery, earthen character here that I often see in Clare cabernet; indeed it's why I often like the region's cabernets so much. This is an impeccable wine. One of the bargain's of the year no doubt. Drink: 2011-2018” – Campbell Mattinson, Winefront.

Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - $44.90

The Suckfizzle wines are made at Stella Bella, arguably one of Australia’s most exciting and successful wineries under the guidance of Janice McDonald. With each release the Suckfizzle wines gather further momentum and have firmly established themselves as some of the benchmark examples of the Margaret River region. This 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a reflection of the ideal 2005 vintage conditions and displays everything that is great about Margaret River Cabernet.

"95 Points. Complex, medium-bodied, blackcurrant cassis fruit, fine ripe tannins and cedary oak all seamlessly joined on he fluid and long palate. Screwcap. 14% alc. To 2020" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.  

d'Arenberg Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - $52.90

This wine stands alongside the Dead Arm Shiraz and d’Arenberg’s finest wine. The extremely limited 2005 vintage is a supreme example of what the McLaren Vale is capable of producing with this variety. Rich, sumptuous with loads of blackberry, coffee, chocolate flavours the tannins are beautifully integrated with extraordinary length on the palate. Less than three dozen available 

"95 Points. More savoury restraint than many McLaren Vale cabernets; medium-bodied, with black fruits and savoury tannins; 22 months in French oak. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2029" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

Geoff Weaver 'Ferus' Sauvignon Blanc 2005 - $36.90

Ferus is a leading example of what wild yeasts and barrel maturation can bring to Sauvignon Blanc. From the Adelaide Hills this is a complex, earthy wine with nutty, mineral notes seamlessly integrated with the herbaceous fruit characters. Certainly not your typical Sauvignon Blanc but a wonderful drinking wine for those that enjoy this style.

“96 Points. A wine that breaks all the rules; barrel-fermented in French oak, 12 months on lees, and has positively flourished in the bottle over the 18 months post bottling. Screwcap. 13% alc. To: 2009” – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

The Story Grampians Shiraz 2005 - $19.90

Whilst ‘The Story’ is a relatively new label on the Australian wine landscape it has already made quite impression including a few outstanding reviews by James Halliday. Winemaker and owner Rory Lane sources high quality fruit from vineyards in the Grampians and produces his wine in a small factory complete with basket press, open fermenters and French oak barrels. Whilst a somewhat unconventional method the result is a delicious and highly drinkable Grampians Shiraz. Only very limited stocks of this wine are available so get in quick before it is all gone.  

"95 Points. Lusciously dense and rich, a velvet cascade of black fruit flavours supported by a fine net of ripe tannins and well-handled oak; will age superbly. Screwcap. 14.1% alc. To 2026" - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2009 Edition.

With Spring almost upon us and the need to clear some warehouse space, we would like to give Corker readers to opportunity to snap up some bargains. All the wines detailed below are available at once-off reduced pricing with stocks extremely limited. To purchase please click on the name of the wine which will link you through to the relevant section of the Auscellardoor website.  

Clover Hill Blanc de Blanc 2001 - $38.90

 Only 12 bottles remaining. Usually sells for $45+.

Chatto Semillon 2005 - $16.90

Less than a dozen left. 96 Points - Halliday.

Pewsey Vale Gewurtztraminer 2007 - $19.90

Usually sells for $25 +. Leading Australian example.

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2007 – $23.90  

96 points - Halliday. Super Great Southern Riesling.

Ashbrook Chardonnay 2006 – $26.90

Only 18 bottles remaining. 96 points, Halliday. 

Yalumba Hand Picked Tempranillo Graciano Vigonier 2006 – $24.90

Delicious blend, well below normal retail price

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2006 - $27.90

Great Value from Ata Rangi - Only 12 bottles remaining.

Curlewis Pinot Noir 2006 – $33.90

18 bottles available. Well below normal retail. 

Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2005 – $44.90

Only 6 bottles, normally sells for $50+

Giaconda Pinot Noir 2006 - $89.90

Tiny volumes available, well below normal price.

Hewitson Old Garden Mouvedre 2006 - $44.90

Only 9 bottles available. 95 points – Gary Walsh.

Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz 2005 - $89.90

Extremely limited at this once off price. 95 Points – Jeremy Oliver