2025 Ansted Osicka Balgownie 1970 Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Juicy red fruits with a refined structure, ample freshness and a long, savoury finish.

A joint venture between Heathcote winemakers and friends, Tobias Ansted and Simon Osicka, this Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the original Balgownie plantings at Maiden Gully, Bendigo planted in 1970. Maturation taking place in tight grained French Oak (about 25% new).
Totally opaque black dark red colour with a dark red hue. Fragrant red currant, mulberry, red liquorice and blueberry scents are interwoven with violet, subtle vanillin cedar, delicate earthy tobacco and fresh herb notes. Juicy yet refined, the mid weighted palate is lined with red currant, red liquorice and mulberry fruits. Infusions of fresh herbs, delicate spicy vanillin cedar, faint tobacco and light earth sit underneath. Wonderfully finessed tannin structure with ample freshness to the long, savoury red fruited finish.
Drink over the next 10-12 years.
Alc. 13.7%

Other Reviews…….
Most likely be the last vintage of 1970 Block from this producer. There is obvious sadness as the historic Balgownie vineyard gets set to become housing, but also joy at a wine that so perfectly reflects the modern rise of the Victorian wine industry. In '25, a strong vintage brings an elegant, fragrant wine to fruition. Tasted before release, it was finely detailed, tightly so, and worthy of extended ageing. Cassis, black cherry fruits, baking spices, leafy Aussie bush characters, earth and briar. Time in French oak (15% new) rewards with layers of fine cabernet tannins, creating real elegance. Drink by 2038.
95 Points
Jeni Port - James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion

Tobias Ansted and Simon Osicka make this wine from this significant plot of grapes.
It’s skinny, or so, and yet plush in the same sentiment. Fragrant with violets, dark cherry, woody spices, flavoured with similar, cassis, dashes of aniseed, clove, vanilla bark, alpine herbs – how nice. The wine reveals itself over and over as time sets in; a shape shifting red of slinkiness, tension and decided length and persistence. All the hallmarks of very fine wine. All the pleasure too. Sublime balance of things and a wine that feels cared for yet pure and reflective of something serious in the glass. Quality is writ large. Outstanding.
95+ Points
Mike Bennie – The Wine Front