Dark and rich and sexy and dark. The Domaine A Tasmanian Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 sits almost black in the glass with heavy dark chocolate wafting up the olfactory. Clean soft tannins with every sip, with each subsequent sip better than the last – sort of reminded me of The Godfather part’s I and II, the long standing question of which is better. That’s what it was like, which sip is the best. Anyway, clean tannins and clean acid all wrapped around quite ripe dark fruit, something was a little bit surprising seeing it is only 13.5%v/v. But aside of all that waffle, I’ve said it before and that is I believe Domaine A is Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignon producer. It’s that simple really.
Drink with lamb shanks
Drink till 2020
96
Quality cork 13.5%v/v $70 Rathdowne Cellars http://www.domaine-a.com.au/
A big call about best cab sav in the country! Yet, I've only tried their 2001 to date, and it was also fantastic, so it may be a good call. I need to drink more of this producer.
ReplyDeleteIt is a big call I'll give you that, but every bottle I have had of Domaine A has always been spot on. No added whack of eucalypt, alcohol or raisens - just sexy cs and thats it!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...no way they're the best producer of Cab.Sauv in Australia. You definitely need to get out more. Margaret River has any number of producers making world-class Cab.Sauv, and also take a look at Wynns John Riddoch, Balnaves Tally for starters.
ReplyDeleteYour opinion is valid, but Domaine A is a street better than Wynns and Balnaves. From Margaret River, Moss Wood would probably be my #2, but thats the great thing about opinions, they're like hair-cuts, everyone has them; except for thos who are a little whispy of course.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to give this a go based on this recommendation. I'd probably go the Moss Wood, followed by the Katnook Odyssey and the Tally as my favorites out of the ones I've had and this is a bit cheaper than all of them so worth a try I reckon.
ReplyDeletefruit grown in one of Australia's lowest vineyards in regards to geographical parallel location; the Coal River just north of Hobart
ReplyDeleteHey Tim. Great blog. Did you know the Domaine A Cabernet is actually a blend of Cab, Merlot, Franc and a touch of Verdot, and spends a minimum of two years in new French oak? Peter Althaus, the owner/winemaker does not fine, filter or cold stabilise his wines. And he never does acid adjustments. Your comment about 'one of Australia's lowest vineyards' is true...however there are probably another couple of dozen further south (some MUCH further). And remember 42deg south is on par with Tuscany in the northern hemisphere. Actually the Coal River Valley gets more sunshine and less rainfall than Bordeaux. cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that anon, I did not know about the blend. I will make amends post-haste!
ReplyDeletecheerio,
Tim
Jack Mann best cab blend in Australia. Woodlands in Margs doing great things with cabernet too. Moss Wood a little off the radar these days, reckon Voyager, Vasse, Cape Mentelle & Cullen are the other top cab producers from Margs. All have stepped up to fill the void since Moss Wood started misfiring.
ReplyDelete