As I have noted previously, 2007 is shaping as a vintage vintage in Margaret River; I have now tried several Cabernet’s and Cabernet blends, and from the sub-$20 right up to the big guns the wines have been remarkable. For the sub-$20 market you must try the Voyager Estate Girt By Sea Cab Merlot, and the Ringbolt (Yalumba) MR Cabernet Sauvignon.
Now to the 2007 Margaret. This is a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 16% Malbec. It spent 18 months in French oak, of which two thirds was new and one third was one year old. The alcohol is 13.5%. Suggested cellaring window is 2015-2020.
The colour is deep crimson red and the nose has cassis, smoky cedar, plum, light chocolate and some leafy and savoury notes.
The palate is smooth and silky with blackcurrant, spicy oak and soft ripe savoury tannins. The finish is long and spicy with a lovely savoury/sour note at the end. It’s polished and plush and gives a gentle nod to the Bordeaux Left Bank.
Jeremy Oliver in the 2010 Wine Companion gives it a whopping 97 pts. and waxes thus:
‘A long term classic, with finely honed power and exceptional balance. It’s heady, brambly scents of violets, cassis, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are underpinned by smoky cedar/mocha/vanilla oak with undertones of dark cherries.
Remarkably long, smooth and focused, it’s plush and polished, saturated with intense fruit and tight-grained oak and tightly knit with firm , but silky-fine tannins, offering a tightly controlled measure of voluptuous depth and expression rare in Australian Cabernet.’
The wine is still available around the known traps, and for somewhat under $40 AUD – your Honour I believe the case is proven!
Try it with a rack of lamb, preferably cooked in the charcoal weber with maybe a touch of hickory smoke, you will be suitably impressed.
