The Coppermine Road McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon

I had a few members of the Tasting Group crew join me in a sort of, "help me drink down my cellar" gathering. Everyone had an opportunity to dig through the cellar and select a bottle of their choosing; the identity of the wine was kept from everyone else and then presented double-blind though, since the bottles were being pulled from my cellar, it wasn't a true double-blind situation for me. This was poured into a decanter and served within two hours of opening. The wine poured a deep ruby color, slightly turbid with a nearly opaque core. On the nose, the wine bursting with dark-over-red fruits; black currants and black cherry along with tobacco, bell pepper, leather, coffee, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine was dry and the structure was, overall, quite firm. The fruit set was confirmed and while the wine came across as vinous and fully mature, there was a rather remarkable freshness about it...and almost ageless quality. The tannins and acid were so refreshing. And then there was the texture which, I have to say, was quite noble. It was really hard for me to get away from the Left Bank in Bordeaux, from a great, warmer vintage. The question was: St. Julien or Pauliiac. I called 2000 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. I don't hate my call. This was a banger and going back to my notes, I really liked it back then too! It's worth mentioning that the Stelvin enclosure is the real deal folks. This has aged beautifully and has years and years to go. I wish I had more. Alas, this was my last bottle.

A touch of eucalyptus with dark sweet berry and pipe tobacco. Excellent structure and hitting its peak of finesse now. I love the ‘98 vintage in South Australia more and more.

Classic Mc Laren Cab. Deep dark fruit, silky tannins, great beef jerky and eucalyptus noes.

Drinking well, has a few years still. Deep blackcurrant

Just kind of meh. Still some harsh tannin. Not a ton of fruit. Some tobacco/cedar notes. Heat on the nose and finish.

Pretty black raspberry fruit with melted smoky eucalyptus tannins. Unique and exotic. Very tasty as well.

Milder Cab....more like a Zin but still big fruit forward wine. Deep red hues and legs. Full body with plum and jammy flavored. Surprisingly mild tannins on the back end.

Showing beautifully. Sanguine, gentle fruit and velvet tannins.

Beautiful balance & length - travelling well

2011 - decent wine from 'that' vintage. Lacks a little depth and stuffing (compared to years prior). Holds up well over time, a sign of d'Arenberg quality.