Tasting notes

Complex and fun, with elements of smoke, toast, tea, nutmeg, brambles, cola and bubble gum (yes, bubble gum!). These lead to a sweet core of cherry fruit and spice. Mouthfilling and smooth, elegant and pretty. Showing nicely, especially when given time to open in the glass.

Rating

Wine Advocate 91 points (Dec 2008) Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with only a tiny amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is not nearly as expressive as the 2005 or the potentially perfect 2007. Stylistically faithful to the vintage, it is more monolithic and muscular as well as less expressive aromatically, but substantial in size, and somewhat masculine. It is a big wine that should age well, possibly turning out better than my range of scores suggests. Dense blueberry and black currant flavors are accompanied by a crushed rock/minerality as well as substantial tannins. Because of the wine’s structure, the estate is holding it longer in barrel in hopes of softening it and bring out more nuances - a smart decision in my opinion.