Are you there, cab? It’s me…

[vineyard]Voyager Estate 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River) – Unfortunately, this is my last bottle of what has been a wine consistently outperforming both its price and its expectations. It’s not “Australian wine” for all the dire connotations that has to American consumers, it’s cabernet sauvignon, and it’s Margaret River, and it’s good. Dark blackberry fruit, narrowed and focused, with the herbal bite of rosemary and thyme, black peppery structure, and the requisite balancing act between firmness of character and the complexity of age. It’s good, it’s middle-aged at best, it’s aging as any fan of non-internationlized cabernet would wish, and it was under $20 at release. You won’t find wines like that coming from California. (2/10)


3 Comments

  • Salil

    February 28, 2010

    Voyager Estate makes some really good value stuff. Shame they don't show up in the market at all. Really like their Shiraz as well.

    That said, is there a better place than Aus for really good value Cabernet that can age and develop nicely over a few years and not break the bank? Almost impossible to think of anything under the $20-25 range in Bordeaux or Cali.

    Reply
  • thor iverson

    February 28, 2010

    South Africa could be, if they had better vine material and more will to not slop the wines up with oak. But I'm not really the person to judge, since I tend to like grapes that are more interesting than cabernet.

    Reply
  • Salil

    February 28, 2010

    I haven't had enough South African reds, so can't comment – but I can definitely see your point if there are more out there like Meerlust Rubicon.

    Speaking of new world Bdx blends, have you had Te Mata Coleraine? Just got a bottle of the '02.

    Reply

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