1998 Best's Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a very exciting edition of Vintage Direct. The Australian Wine Industry is in a state of dynamic change, and preparing for a possible oversupply of ordinary grapes. The BIG BOY, Southcorp/Rosemount has quickly refocussed its operations at the quality end, choosing not to take up sultana grapes next vintage for its quaffing whites. Middle sized producers are scrambling to survive, forming new alliances whilst becoming potential merger and acquisition targets.A wave of NEW BOYS, has also entered the market, some will fall over, whilst others will bring a new dynamic approach to the quality end of the wine trade. Two extraordinary new comers have been discovered by Vintage Direct. Sanguine Estate from Heathcote and Galli Estate from the Sunbury district. Both NEW BOYS produce exceptional Shiraz. This months front cover is from an OLD BOY – Viv Thomson of Best’s Great Western in Victoria. A relatively small established family operation, whose roots date back to 1868, when Henry Best first planted vines on the property. The Cabernet Block consists of thirteen acres planted in 1980 and 1982. The success of the 1998 vintage was in part due to the difficult, dry growing season and the subsequent low yields.The 1998 Cabernet was picked in two stages. The spur-pruned block was picked on the 27th of March whilst the Sylvos pruned block was picked on the 3rd of April. Yields were at 2.68 tonnes per acre – this is an important number, for Great Wines do not come from high yields.

SUNSET APPROACHES FOR THE 1998 RELEASES WITH ONLY THE ICON SUPERSTARS TO COME.

Without doubt 1998 was the greatest Australian vintage of last century, and recognized by collectors and investors for its exceptional quality and investment capability.

A STAR OF THE VINTAGE WITH INVESTMENT UPSIDE.

This is one of the great wines from the 1998 vintage. The low yields have ensured a wine of great concentration and flavour, rated by winemaker Viv Thomson as the best of the ‘90’s decade. Although labelled as Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a 10% Merlot component. Totally opaque crimson colour with deep mauve edges. A wonderful nose with aroma of perfumed violets, blackcurrant, cedar, truffle and earth. The palate is totally mouthfilling and demonstrates the classic full bodied Great Western style. A wine of outstanding length and concentration of flavour. Perfect balance, fine grained tannins, with very long aftertaste of blackcurrant, spice and truffle. A collectors piece and an outstanding wine. Cellar 8-10 years.Stocks are limited.

RATING: 96/100

VALUE: XXXXX/5