Bellwether
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra, Limestone Coast, South Australia, Australia
The oldest and the best Coonawarra Cabernet we have had this week. Singing in its 16th year. Black currant, mint and capsicum. Medium bodied, fine and long. Proves again the foresight of John Riddoch being the first to plant vines in the Coonawarra all those years ago.
The oldest and the best Coonawarra Cabernet we have had this week. Singing in its 16th year. Black currant, mint and capsicum. Medium bodied, fine and long. Proves again the foresight of John Riddoch being the first to plant vines in the Coonawarra all those years ago.
Mar 27th, 2021See Vasse Felix note. The Bellwether being Coonawarra is more minty and less herbaceous than the Vasse Felix. Both have good cassis/black currant notes. Both have years to go. I gave it to the Bellwether by a point.
See Vasse Felix note. The Bellwether being Coonawarra is more minty and less herbaceous than the Vasse Felix. Both have good cassis/black currant notes. Both have years to go. I gave it to the Bellwether by a point.
Mar 26th, 2021No time for notes - too many good wines but this is destined to be a classic. Black currant, bay leaf and mint. Cellaring potential of 20 years + I will be buying some.
No time for notes - too many good wines but this is destined to be a classic. Black currant, bay leaf and mint. Cellaring potential of 20 years + I will be buying some.
Mar 25th, 2021Sue Bell’s entry level Coonawarra - unoaked and designed to be drunk young and fresh. Excellent wine.
Sue Bell’s entry level Coonawarra - unoaked and designed to be drunk young and fresh. Excellent wine.
Mar 21st, 2021See previous notes. Classic Coonawarra mint, black fruits, dark chocolate and cigar box. Singing at 11 years but will go for another decade at least. Barb and I are flying to Adelaide today. Hire Car tomorrow for the 4 1/2 hours drive south to Coonawarra where we will be doing vintage at Bellwether for a week. Should be illuminating, hard work and rewarding with a great tutor in Sue Bell, owner and winemaker. Sue was lucky enough to be one of 12 in the annual Len Evans Tutorial a few years ago where they taste wines most of us can only dream of including flights of DRC, Rousseau etc. Sue was the Dux of her year and is in demand around Australia as a Show Judge. Should be a great week.
See previous notes. Classic Coonawarra mint, black fruits, dark chocolate and cigar box. Singing at 11 years but will go for another decade at least. Barb and I are flying to Adelaide today. Hire Car tomorrow for the 4 1/2 hours drive south to Coonawarra where we will be doing vintage at Bellwether for a week. Should be illuminating, hard work and rewarding with a great tutor in Sue Bell, owner and winemaker. Sue was lucky enough to be one of 12 in the annual Len Evans Tutorial a few years ago where they taste wines most of us can only dream of including flights of DRC, Rousseau etc. Sue was the Dux of her year and is in demand around Australia as a Show Judge. Should be a great week.
Mar 18th, 2021Dense Ruby in colour. All the classic Cabernet descriptors - Blackberry cassis, black olive and of course Mint - textbook Coonawarra Cabernet. On the palate such purity - ground cocoa, call it dark chocolate, berry fruits, touch of cedar. This wine at 10 years of age, whilst only young, and will live at least another decade, is drinking beautifully now. Made by the talented Sue Bell who was the Dux of the 2007 Len Evans Tutorial ( a handpicked group of only 12 - outstanding winemakers, somms and other full time wine professionals. Aubert de Villaine every year generously donates a mixed dozen of DRC, such was his friendship with Len Evans and James Halliday). Needless to say Sue Bell has one of the best palates in the country. A few years ago she was a guest Judge at the Toowoomba Wine Show where I often judge. I was in awe of her knowledge and her palate. On the strength of this wine I will order her 2015 Cabernet.
Dense Ruby in colour. All the classic Cabernet descriptors - Blackberry cassis, black olive and of course Mint - textbook Coonawarra Cabernet. On the palate such purity - ground cocoa, call it dark chocolate, berry fruits, touch of cedar. This wine at 10 years of age, whilst only young, and will live at least another decade, is drinking beautifully now. Made by the talented Sue Bell who was the Dux of the 2007 Len Evans Tutorial ( a handpicked group of only 12 - outstanding winemakers, somms and other full time wine professionals. Aubert de Villaine every year generously donates a mixed dozen of DRC, such was his friendship with Len Evans and James Halliday). Needless to say Sue Bell has one of the best palates in the country. A few years ago she was a guest Judge at the Toowoomba Wine Show where I often judge. I was in awe of her knowledge and her palate. On the strength of this wine I will order her 2015 Cabernet.
Jun 26th, 2020
Tasted the 2014 against the 2008.
Even the small batch minimal intervention gear ages well here 🔥
Big thanks to Steve Brown for the flight and hospitality.
Tasted the 2014 against the 2008.
Even the small batch minimal intervention gear ages well here 🔥
Big thanks to Steve Brown for the flight and hospitality.
Nice. Smooth went well with the pork belly.
Nice. Smooth went well with the pork belly.
1 person found it helpfulAug 1st, 2015
Beautifully perfumed ripe plum, blueberry fruit big but silky tannin, gorgeous!
Beautifully perfumed ripe plum, blueberry fruit big but silky tannin, gorgeous!
Sep 12th, 2014
Great drop had with the degustation ‘Eshalot Experience’
Great drop had with the degustation ‘Eshalot Experience’
Oct 25th, 2020