-
98
/ 100
James Halliday -
97
/ 100
Tyson Stelzer -
96
/ 100
Huon Hooke
Red
Classification
Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety
2012
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
Australia
Country
Western Australia, Margaret River
Region
14.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"Includes 5% each of malbec and petit verdot; Destemmed and crushed, hand-plunged and pumpovers; extended post-fermentation maceration for 28 days, matured in French barriques (50% new) for 14 months before final barrel selection, then blended and matured for 2 months in used French oak. A very powerful exposition of cabernet with a cavalcade of flavours of cassis/blackcurrant, mulberry and even a hint of plum, all enhanced by quality oak and ripe tannins.Includes 5% each of malbec and petit verdot; Destemmed and crushed, hand-plunged and pumpovers; extended post-fermentation maceration for 28 days, matured in French barriques (50% new) for 14 months before final barrel selection, then blended and matured for 2 months in used French oak. A very powerful exposition of cabernet with a cavalcade of flavours of cassis/blackcurrant, mulberry and even a hint of plum, all enhanced by quality oak and ripe tannins."
- James Halliday
97 / 100
"A benchmark for Xanadu and a worthy follow-on to the exceptional 2011. It’s elegant and refined, yet possessing incredible fruit depth and relentless persistence, promising a very long future."
- Tyson Stelzer
96 / 100
"A very big wine, with some alcohol warmth and firmer tannins than the Cape Mentelle or Twinwoods tasted alongside. Great firmness and structure, length and drive. A touch of peppermint appeared after a while. Top-level stuff. (5% petit verdot, 5% malbec. 50% new oak)"
- Huon Hooke
Tasting Notes
Exhibiting vibrant aromas of blackcurrants, ripe mulberries and Satsuma plums, subtle fragrances of potpourri, nori and spice linger in the background.
The full bodied palate is crammed full of ripe forest fruits, cassis, and dark chocolate characters. Powerful, yet refined in structure, the fleshy fruits are complimented with an ample amount of supple tannins; all culminating together to provide a dense, persistent berry fruit finish.
Vibrant and robust in its youth, this is a wine which will certainly benefit from further bottle maturation, and will cellar comfortably.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
- Smooth
- Complex