Wine without BS

Zema Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

I'm going to keep this pretty short and sweet as not much more has to be said other than this is a bloody brilliant Cabernet from the ever consistent Zema Estate.

Clearly 2009 was kind to the Coonawarra region and this wine has a perfect balance of fruit, oak and the classic Cabernet Capsicum notes. For those wondering if I've gone all 'BS' with the Cabernet and Capsicum reference take note. Cabernet grapes and Capsicums actually share common chemical compounds that will lead to similarities in the aroma in certain cases. So on this occasion you can blame science and not wine writers :)

Zema Estate 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $28.95 and available in most good bottle shops
Region - Coonwarra, South Australia
Final Sip - Delicious now and I can't wait to try it in 8-10 years

 

Phifer Pavitt 2007 Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon

 

While I am always excited to try new wines and share my thoughts about them, I rarely get excited about physically sitting down at my PC and typing up a review. This time however, is an exception, as I have been excited about writing this review since my trip to Napa Valley back in May. While I have enjoyed many amazing wines during that trip, it was a few smaller and lesser known wineries that provided some of the most unique experiences. One of those wineries was Phifer Pavitt, in Calistoga, who only make a single wine in a Cabernet Sauvignon called 'Date Night'. The name 'Date Night' refers to the one night a week, owners Suzanne and her husband Shane, would put aside for themselves, arrange a babysitter for their children and enjoy a night out with just each other. It was on this night the couple made nearly all of the big decisions in their life together, including the decision to buy a property in Napa and start a winery!

Owner, Suzanne Phifer Pavitt, met me personally and took me into her charming, country style tasting room and poured me a glass of her 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. In just a few small sips I was instantly impressed. A few more sips and I recall telling Suzanne that her Cabernet was one of the best wines I'd tried in Napa so far and at this point I had only one more tasting room before I left Napa.

I purchased a bottle then and there and have held onto it since, waiting for the perfect time to open and enjoy this great Napa Cabernet with the right company. A close friend of mine from Sydney decided to join me in Los Angeles and when he said he couldn't wait to have a Californian steak, I knew the combination would be a match made in heaven!

Deep cherry red in colour, both it's aroma and flavour show an immaculate blend of fruit and oak characters. It is incredibly smooth for a Cab so young by Napa standards, and I found myself rather bummed when my one and only bottle was finished! A truly wonderful wine, made by great people and it comes with a great story... did I tell you that it was the official wine at the after party for the Steve Corell & Tina Fey movie 'Date Night' ?

 

Phifer Pavitt 2007 Date Night Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $75 but unfortunately sold out! Try Fine Wine retailers in and around Napa for the best chances of grabbing a bottle.
I did see it available on-line at Golden Gate Wine Cellars
Region - Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
Final Sip - Luckily for Suzanne & Shane none of their date nights have had quiet the drama portrayed in the Hollywood film, but their wine is every bit a Blockbuster!

Saint & Sinner 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

The 'Calling Card' range, released in 2010, by Saint & Sinner Wines is a cheeky but fun and fresh approach to wine marketing. Drawing inspiration from the calling cards of prostitutes, (if you have ever walked the Las Vegas strip you'll know exactly what I am talking about) the wine's labels depict each wine as a working girl and includes both her best features and her number on the bottle... handy!

From the current releases my favourite within the range is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, which uses fruit sourced from Wrattonbully, which is located north of the better known region for Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia, Coonawarra. I was going to suggest that to learn more about this wine  that you all should join in the fun and sms the word 'Cabernet' to 0428 256 918, but, for the benefit of our overseas readers I have included the reply that is sent when one does below.

"There’s something you need to know right at the start: I’m a stayer. I’ll plant a seed in your palate when you walk into my secret garden. I’ll wrap myself around you, fill your senses with my intensity and show you my fruits. Lets indulge ourselves in a rack of lamb, then savour runny brie. Or take me to a special dinner and show me off but keep me close – your friends will want to have me too.

Take your time, treat me well and I’ll grow on you over the years – getting better with each encounter we mature together. I’m perfect now, but there’s no need to rush – the night is young.

Need more of me? Come see my site www.saintandsinner.com.au and meet my Saint & Sinner sisters. I don’t mind if you chose one of them for a little variety. You’ll be back for more of me. You could even take two or three of us for a little S&S action if you’re up to it!

Text FLIRT or your email to 0458263398 to taste more of me and my friends."

I am sure most of us agree that this is a fun and fresh way to make a product appeal to a younger generation of wine drinkers, however, I better get back to talking about the wine. Dressed in a deep crimson red colour, she smells of red and dark fruits with a faint hint of vanilla. Far from all show and no -go this wine also has appealing fruit flavours that makes coming back for more all part of extending the pleasure!

OK, I'll admit I got a bit carried away there and will accept any criticism that I've just flirted with commercial suicide. This brand is all about a bit of fun and that is what I was trying to convey.

 

Saint & Sinner 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $26 from www.saintandsinner.com.au
Region - Wrattonbully, South Australia
Final Sip - Initially, I was worried that the marketing/packaging was hiding a sub-standard wine, but in the case of the 08 Cabernet Sauvignon that is simply not the case. It's good to know that a wine knowingly marketed to a younger audience is giving them all a taste for good Australia wine.

Zema Estate - 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

While the longer days and warmer weather has many wine lovers reaching for the fridge for their plonk over summer there are still plenty of die hard red wine lovers that don't buy into the concept that hearty reds are the domain of the colder months. You certainly don't have to be a die hard red drinker, though, to enjoy the new release Cabernet Sauvignon from well known Coonawarra producer, Zema Estate. Some great reviews of other wineries releases of Coonawarra Cabernet from 2008 certainly suggest 2008 was a better year than 2007 and Zema Estate themselves also suggest their example is an improvement over the past vintage.

In the glass the wine has a nice crimson red colour and an aroma of dark fruits and spice. Noticeably soft on the palate for a young wine the flavour carries over many of the subtleties of the aroma showing more dark fruits and spice. I  really enjoy this wine now and would love to try it in another five years time.

Zema Estate - 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $25 from most good retailers and available shortly at www.zema.com.au
Region - Coonawarra, South Australia
Final Sip - At this price it won't be the type of wine everyone will use alongside a great Aussie BBQ this summer but if you did you certainly won't be disappointed. For those sticking with their chilled wines for now, don't despair, the 2008 vintage will still be the current release by the time winter 2011 rolls around!

Best's Great Western - 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

I was fortunate enough to have been sent the new range of Best's Great Western release which includes their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Great Western region in Victoria. I actually cannot recall having had a Cabernet Sauvignon from Victoria so I was keen to see how it would fare up against those regions better known for their Cabernet Sauvignon, such as Coonawarra, South Australia, and Margaret River in Western Australia. Best's are already producing some of the premier Shiraz in Australia, such as their 'Thomson Family' Shiraz. It quickly became apparent while drinking this wine that Best's Cabernet Sauvignon may, one day, also be regarded as one of the best Cabernet's in the country. 

The Best's Great Western 2009 Cabernet has a deep cherry red colour with a hint of purple. The aroma is pleasant and interesting in that it is neither fruity or savoury to me. The official tasting notes that came with my sample pack say it should smell like a cigar box but I am fresh out of cigar boxes at my place and would have little idea of what that would smell like for a proper comparison. The flavour is full of berry fruit, subtle oak and a hint of spice.

An easy drinking Cabernet that was enjoyable from start to finish!

Best's Great Western - 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - $25 from www.bestswines.com and selected retailers
Region - Great Western - Victoria
Recommended? Absolutely and while it is a lovely wine now it will be fascinating to enjoy in 5+ years alongside its Coonawarra and Margaret River comparables.

Ingoldby - Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

I won't wast too much time as this wine was just way to acidic. Maybe over time that will soften and the wine could improve as you can tell that underneath the acid are some potentially nice berry flavours. However, the highly acidic nature of the taste means I'm not spending my money on this wine again. It was a shame as the Ingoldby Shiraz from memory isn't bad!

Ingoldby - Cabernet Sauvignon  2007
Price - $13.30 at Dan Murphy's (when purchased in any dozen or more)
Region - McLaren Vale, SA
Recommended? No

Stonehaven's Stepping Stone 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is in my tasting note diary as my first ever entry in mid 2008. Cannot really remember it now but back then I wrote that it was okay, bit light for a Cab Sav so if you're into medium body you may like it better then I did.

  

   Stonehaven - Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
   Price - $12 at Dan Murphy's or $13 at http://www.aussiewines.com.au
   Region - Coonawarra, South Australia
   Recommended? It's okay for the price