The Cigar Menzies Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Ripe red and (mostly) black fruit, spice, some menthol/eucalyptus?

Meaty, fleshy, bell pepper, and with a hint of cigar ash. Aging has happened well here.

Yalumba cooper's about 1/2 the new American oak barrels they use. Not many producers have their own cooperage. It's not necessarily less expensive but it does give a Winemaker more control of his toast and air tightness. Their Cigar Cabernet is fairly easy to drink young. Lighter tannins, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, soft wood equals light baking spices, good acid and a decent ripe finish with medium spice.

This is a fantastic wine and an even better value.

Paul had this 10 years ago

Ripe fruit, eucalypt, savoury finish but strangely hollow

Really took me by surprise. A great bang for the buck with complex flavors. Drinks like something more expensive. Good stuff here.

Eucalyptus, mint. very subtle with little fruit on the nose. Full in the mouth, fully textured with fine grained tannin and firm granules too. Very well balanced. Great length.

Dark and brooding. Tobacco, plum, cassis.

Yalumba The Cigar 2011: articulates Coonawarra's more elegant side.