Yalumba
The Menzies Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra, Limestone Coast, South Australia, Australia
Nose has crushed mint, ripe cherries, ripe blackberries, moist cedar, old leather, cherry-infused tobacco and candle wax trailing away.
Palate has ripe blackberries, dried Bing cherries, slight cocoa powder, dried plum, faint spice cake with fading tannins.
2H decant at the time of notes, I think this wants more air to continue developing. A purchase from many, many years past when we were hot on all things Australia. Hidden away for ~20Y in our off-site storage, these bottles recently arrived at the home cellar. I'm not disappointed by the showing tonight, more intrigued about what the next few bottles will bring...
Paired with Allen Bros cover rib (rib cap) and smashed fingerling potatoes; a meal generally dreamed about, realized tonight.
Nose has crushed mint, ripe cherries, ripe blackberries, moist cedar, old leather, cherry-infused tobacco and candle wax trailing away.
Palate has ripe blackberries, dried Bing cherries, slight cocoa powder, dried plum, faint spice cake with fading tannins.
2H decant at the time of notes, I think this wants more air to continue developing. A purchase from many, many years past when we were hot on all things Australia. Hidden away for ~20Y in our off-site storage, these bottles recently arrived at the home cellar. I'm not disappointed by the showing tonight, more intrigued about what the next few bottles will bring...
Paired with Allen Bros cover rib (rib cap) and smashed fingerling potatoes; a meal generally dreamed about, realized tonight.
Vintage 2010 / eucalyptus, lots of character, autumn-winterwine
Vintage 2010 / eucalyptus, lots of character, autumn-winterwine
Jan 28th, 2020
At the Downs Club Magnum Dinner. Brief notes. Never been a huge fan of The Menzies. Lacks cassis fruit and often has an astringent finish although this was more mouth filling.
At the Downs Club Magnum Dinner. Brief notes. Never been a huge fan of The Menzies. Lacks cassis fruit and often has an astringent finish although this was more mouth filling.
Dec 11th, 2019At the Downs Club Magnum Christmas Dinner. The wine is deep crimson, more savoury than berry aromas. Same on the palate needing more mid palate fruit. Astringent. I have never been a big fan of The Menzies. My theory is that Yalumbas best Cabernet fruit goes into the $300 The Caley followed by The Signature and then The Menzies.
At the Downs Club Magnum Christmas Dinner. The wine is deep crimson, more savoury than berry aromas. Same on the palate needing more mid palate fruit. Astringent. I have never been a big fan of The Menzies. My theory is that Yalumbas best Cabernet fruit goes into the $300 The Caley followed by The Signature and then The Menzies.
Dec 16th, 2018After some travel and euro wines, the Aussie menthol / eucalypt in this jumped out at me. Love it. Earthy, savoury, less red fruited than I remember, ripe but balanced, fine tannin leaving a dry finish. After 3 or 4 hours the leatheriness had developed nicely, my last glass was the best, although not quite the heights of the prior vintage.
After some travel and euro wines, the Aussie menthol / eucalypt in this jumped out at me. Love it. Earthy, savoury, less red fruited than I remember, ripe but balanced, fine tannin leaving a dry finish. After 3 or 4 hours the leatheriness had developed nicely, my last glass was the best, although not quite the heights of the prior vintage.
1 person found it helpfulAug 30th, 2019
Quality control and it's pretty damn good. ICONS release in a week - don't miss out!
Quality control and it's pretty damn good. ICONS release in a week - don't miss out!
Aug 25th, 2016
Textbook Coonawarra Cab! Ripe blackberry fruit but a whiff of herbs to remind you where you are. An Aussie classic
Textbook Coonawarra Cab! Ripe blackberry fruit but a whiff of herbs to remind you where you are. An Aussie classic
Aug 28th, 2015Gorgeous .. Decanted 4 hrs opened up beautifully. Classic Coonawarra black-red fruit mix, fine grained tannin, just right acidity, long long finish. Smokey.
Gorgeous .. Decanted 4 hrs opened up beautifully. Classic Coonawarra black-red fruit mix, fine grained tannin, just right acidity, long long finish. Smokey.
Jul 15th, 2015