I first tasted this wine at the Ridgemill Estate Cellar Door on 12th July 2020. At the time it was a lighter style easy drinking Cabernet from the challenged wet veraison due to cyclone Debbie. The wine has surprised me its undergone some developmental complexity since then that I wouldn’t have predicted at the time. The wine is reasonably deeply coloured in the glass with a garnet meniscus.
A bouquet with lifted fragrances of red berries and black currants, dark chocolate, some slightly smoky AP John in the mix and a clove centred spiciness.
Unusually for a local Cabernet there are succulent red cherries on the palate, these tend toward sour. Next black currants slosh and slide their way with a slight slipperiness into the experience which then gives way to a black olive presence, a herb garden with thyme and soft oregano flavours the fluid and then some spicy clove and white pepper add a lifted tantalising effect.
The tannins are powdery with a lip smacking slight puckering effect and the acid is well balanced with a slightly refreshing effect which quickly dissipates and joins tannins and fruit in a long caressing farewell.
The wine is drinking very well now and paired excellently with a lamb kofta meal. I’d still, well OK just me, give the wine further development time and allow it to mellow more before really tucking in.
The wine isn’t a 2018 or 2019 Granite Belt Cabernet Sauvignon and it certainly doesn’t pretend to be. Instead it is quite different and if accepted on its own terms you are guaranteed lots of enjoyment.
Tasted: Friday 9th April, 2021 without food and then with over several hours.
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $30
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 to 2027
Winemaker: Peter McGlashan
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