When you drive into Girraween Estate you see some very long straight rows of beautifully tended aged Cabernet Sauvignon vines. I have long believed that these majestic vines are the jewell in the crown of Girraween Estate and Bald Mountain Wines previously.
The colour in the glass is gorgeous, bright black cherries with a semi translucent red rose meniscus, the wine glitters, glows and shimmers its reflective gleaming youthful vibrancy.
Red berries, red plums, sour cherries, cardamon and subtle fennel waft and weave through your olfactory senses with a gentle yet assertive presence.
The palate is delightful, there is a presence of succulent raspberries sliding elegantly through the mid palate but prefixed by sour red cherries, red currants and cranberries. A little peppery presence pierces the luscious fruit and slivers into some red frog lollies, the tannins are smooth and silky with a little late drying and the acid adds a lovely liveliness to the wine. This is an elegant Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignon made with a gentle hand respectful and trusting of what the vines can produce, it is a wine packed with subtle power so it is deceptively easy to consume. This is possibly the most subtlety interesting Cabernet Sauvignon I have ever encountered, the balance and structure are so seamless allowing the wine to dance along the entire length of your palatal capabilities with a harmonious assimilation of power and elegance. Perhaps this is what the 2021 Granite Belt Cabernets will be like but I doubt it, instead I suspect this is more of an expression of what those beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Girraween Estate can produce in 2021 vintage conditions.
Steve Messiter has recently won a Gold Medal and Trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Awards for best Sauvignon of Show – he has always made an excellent Sauvignon Blanc, however when you taste this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon you will appreciate that his skills may be even better with red varieties.
Tasted: Saturday 6th August, 2022 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 14%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $35
Suggested Drinking Window: Now to 2031
Winemaker: Steve Messiter
Oak: French
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