Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- 92
- $26
- Drink by: 2022-2037
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The classic grape of Coonawarra, and this has a classic Cabernet nose. We have bay leaves, tobacco, black fruits, cassis, coffee beans, blackcurrants, leather and that hint of mint. The wine had enjoyed a seven day ferment in rotary and static fermenters, before a year and a half maturation in French oak hogsheads. It is mid-weight in style with an appealing softness on the palate. The intensity fades a smidge right at the very finish but there is so much flavour leading to that, it is effectively irrelevant. Fine tannins, a nice line of acidity and a wine with such a promising future, ten to fifteen years. Impressive now but it will take several steps up in time and surely rank considerably higher. If you are looking for a fine, good value example of a classic Coonawarra Cabernet, then look no further.
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.
