I’ve never tasted a Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignon quite like this, it reminds me of a very good Margaret River Cabernet, except those often have a small amount of Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot. I really like the new Boireann label and, during my visit I noticed some boxes of Guala Closures so perhaps the screw caps are also going to experience an upgrade.
14.9% a/v, it was a hot dry vintage but the alcohol doesn’t really show. Deeply coloured with some purple hues and purple/maroon at the edges, it’s presentation is emphatic, you know it will be a big wine. This very young Cabernet needs a big breathe and then the unfurled bouquet shows powerful fruit fragrances of black berries and cassis, a little oak and some spice. The palate is plush with powerful fruits, cassis, blackberry, black currants some black plums are evident and inviting and just a hint of mulberry – there is quite a mid palate fruit surge and, as we have come to expect from The Granite Belt, the river of fruit flows along a granitic mineral bed which is impossible to resist, there is also some dark chocolate and pepper spice. The tannins are exceptional they are fine and chalky, gently drying and providing a lacework of tannin and fruit of extraordinary length.
This medium to full bodied wine unusually for a young Boireann is enjoyable drinking now provided you enjoy tannins. The wine will reward patience in your cellar, there were only 600 bottles made. I’d suggest you try one now just for the experience and then calibrate this wines future in your relationship, I’ll be opening another in 5 years just to check development and then not for at least 10 years. This is the third time I have tasted this wine the first two being at the cellar door and under very cold conditions, we all know the saying ‘beware the cellar door experience’ but this one had 100% validity as the wine is absolutely superb!
Tasted: Saturday 15th August, 2020 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14.9%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $45
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 – 2040+
Winemaker: Brad Rowe
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