Chapel Hill winemaker Michael Fragos has produced another big ripe opulent McLaren Vale Cabernet very much in a similar style to the outstanding 2007 vintage. The wine was matured for 19 months in 300 litre oak hogsheads, of which91% was French and 9% American. The oak regime was a combination of 32% new oak, 35% second use and 33% third use. Superb opaque black crimson colour with black heart and very deep black crimson hue displaying good glass cling. The nose delivers a very ripe aroma profile of dark chocolate, dark plum and cassis followed by a hint of liquorice and spice. Full bodied, ripe and opulent the palate delivers voluptuous flavours of cassis and dark plum followed by some dark chocolate and spice. Excellent concentration with fine grained tannins and long aftertaste of ripe blackcurrant, dark plum, cedar and spice.
Cellar 3-4 years (2013-2014).
Alc 14%
Other Reviews....
Deep, dense colour; just as with the Shiraz, the region speaks loud and clear, but does not pervert the excellent display of varietal fruit with its array of blackcurrant and mulberry (and dark chocolate) fruit; excellent tannins and good oak are further pluses. Screwcap.
14% alc. Drink 2028 Date Tasted Jan 10
Rating 95 points
James Halliday - Australian Wine Companion
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