Monday, October 26, 2009

WEST CAPE HOWE CABERNET MERLOT 2007

 - Geographe/ Great Southern/ Blackwood Valley, WA
 - $12-$20
 - Screwcap
 - 14.5%alc

I'm particularly impressed with the consistency and value of West Cape Howe's cross-regional, Western Australian wines. Typically sourced from some of the state's premier districts, these wines offer generously flavoured, fresh and affordable varietal expressions.

Both cabernet sauvignon and merlot make an aromatic statement in West Cape Howe's 2007, with a dusty, leafy, herbal presentation of ripe blackcurrants and smoky cedar/chocolate oak. Surprisingly saturated (for its price) with dark berry/plum fruits and toasty cedar notes, its vivid, well fruited palate delivers genuine mid-palate impact through plush character, finishing with a silky caress of ripe tannin and spice. Although multi-regional this astoundingly cheap cabernet merlot perfectly reflects its place of origin; south-Western Australia.

üA superb buy, this drinks beautifully now but has enough depth and tannic lift to see it mature into the medium term. Yalumba The Scribbler 2007, Wynns Shiraz 2008; you can gladly add West Cape Howe's 2007 Cabernet Merlot to the list of cheap Aussie reds which have genuinely excited me since the inception of this site. Drink to 2016.
92 points


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