Woodvale Orchard Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
- 91
- $30
- Drink by: 2022-2032
Share
For many, Riesling aside, Cabernet is the star of the Clare Valley – although there are always those who’ll take up that debate. This example is a blend of a trio of sites from across the region and the cooler vintage suits the style. The grapes were hand plunged during fermentation before basket pressing to a mix of new and older French oak. This is a vibrant purple hue with classic Cabernet notes on show here; blackberries, cassis, leather, tobacco leaves and chocolate. Formal in structure, we see notes of coffee beans emerge more on the palate with firm tannins giving good grip. There is length and drive here too, but the wine really needs a couple of years to hit its straps, after which it will then provide good drinking for a decade. A good value Cab.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
