Clarendon Hills Sandown Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Clarendon, Australia

克拉倫敦山桑當園赤霞珠紅葡萄酒

點擊次數：9607

The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sandown is similarly styled. Spicy black fruit aromas mingle with mineral and floral notes leading to a medium to full-bodied wine packed with flavor. It will require 4-6 years to fully unwind but the balance is there for a graceful evolution. In a sign of the times, pricing for Roman Bratasiuk’s Clarendon Hills portfolio has been reduced by close to 50% across the board. Suddenly, most of the wines offer an excellent price to quality relationship. As usual, the Clarendon Hills wines are unblended, 100% varietal, sourced from mostly old-vine, ungrafted, single vineyards, fermented naturally, and bottled without fining or filtration. Only seasoned oak is used for the Grenache bottlings, 100% new French oak for the Merlot and Cabernets, and 50-100% new French oak for the Syrahs depending upon the cuvee. There is a new addition to the portfolio, a Mourvedre sourced from 12 year old vines and aged in 2 year old French oak. The year 2007 was more difficult than the three that preceded it, marked by a 45-50% reduction in crop levels and elevated tannin from the resulting thick skins. As Bratasiuk notes, “Tight, drying tannin is the hallmark of the vintage.” Nevertheless, this is an impressive collection from one of Australia’s icon wineries.Importer: E & J Gallo, Modesto, CA; www.clarendonhills.com.au

Wrapped in firm tannins, this pulses with accents of wet earth and dried herbs around a core of red berry and black cherry fruit, lingering on the solid finish. Best from 2014 through 2019. 650 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–HS??Region: Australia / Clarendon Select to Add

This Roman Bratasiuk effort comes across as a bit raw and jagged, marked by tough tannins. Cedar and vanilla notes lead off, giving way to hints of grilled tomato, singed cherry and roasted coffee. Will it come around in 3–5 years?——J.C.(11/1/2010)—— 86