This is the third in a series of tasting notes that will attempt to give a personal view of how a number of Australian wines are ageing. This particular article is my notes from a recent tasting event. A group of Adelaide wine enthusiasts known as 'The Blacktongues' meet on a regular basis throughout the year and taste their way through a line-up of premium wines. The wine is served blind, and the group of 14 to 17 persons have an hour to decide on their favorite, least favorite and two other wines that would come in at second and third place.

My personal tasting notes and the voting results of the panel are listed below. As a comparison I have added respected wine critic Jeremy Oliver's scores and drinking windows where available. I have also included the current price these wines fetch at auction (before commission) as this can also be a good (but not accurate as other factors influence demand besides quality) indicator on how the market views these wines.

Jeremy Oliver Scores and drinking windows were obtained via the Onwine website at http://www.onwine.com.au/
 

1996 Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra (Also commonly referred to as their Black Label Cabernet)
Dark purple color with very nice, elegant nose of plush cherry. A palate that was a bit closed at first but opened up with some very nice black fruit and subtle leather on the finish.
Personal rating: 5/10
Blacktongues panel: 3rd
Jeremy Oliver: 96 (2016-2026+)
Current Auction price: $30

1996 Mildara Robertson's Well Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
Some slight lightening of its colors on the edges with a lovely bouquet of sweet black fruits. A very nice palate, medium bodied with great intensity, nicely balanced sweet fruits and soft tannins melding with hints of developing secondary flavours and a pleasant lingering finish.
Personal rating: 5/10
Jeremy Oliver: 87  (2001-2004)
Current Auction price: $18


1996 Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley
This was the clear winner for the evening with 12 out of the 17 people there either marking it as their first or second preference for the tasting. A deep purple color with a complex nose of black currant, spices and chocolate. Wonderful sweet fruit intensity, layers of lovely black fruits, toast and smoke with an ever so long finish. Very pleasant drinking.
Personal rating: 6/10
Blacktongues panel: 1st
Jeremy Oliver: 95 (2008-2016+)
Current Auction price: $20


1996 Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek
The color was opaque purple with some lightening at the edges and a very nice nose of cedar and mulberry, developing some lovely secondary complexity. Lovely structured palate with sweet intense blackfruits, good mouthfeel and a long finish.
Personal rating: 5/10
Jeremy Oliver: No Information
Current Auction price: $10


1996 Turkey Flat Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley
Lightening at the edges with a ripe, slightly sweet nose of charry oak on a nice, smooth palate of good, intense yet elegant fruits with a long finish.
Personal rating: 4/10
Blacktongues panel: Least preferred 
Jeremy Oliver: 88 (2001-2004+)
Current Auction price: $20


1996 Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
A dark opaque purple color with nice aromas of dark chocolate and leafy/brambly complexity. A mouthfilling wine of intense fruits, slightly one dimensional to start with but gaining savoury complexity with time.
Personal rating: 4/10
Jeremy Oliver: 97 (2008-2016+)
Current Auction price: $35


1996 Punters Corner Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
A slight lightening at the edges from an opaque purple color with complex layers of red and blackcurrant, lavender and violets on the nose. A medium bodied palate with nicely balanced, elegant fruits and integrated tannins.
Personal rating: 4/10
Jeremy Oliver: No information
Current Auction price: $25


1996 Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
Dark purple with a sweet, dusty, slightly jammy nose. Nice sweet, intense fruits, charry oak and good length. Quite intense with perhaps another 5 years to go.
Personal rating: 4/10
Blacktongues panel: 2nd
Jeremy Oliver: 90 (2002-2005)
Current Auction price: $20

 

Copyright © 2005 Mark Wickman, All Rights Reserved
About the Author
Mark Wickman is the owner and manager of Wickman's Fine Wine Auctions. You may reproduce this article providing you credit the author, email the author with the details of where it will be published and and add a link to the authors website (http://www.wickman.net )