| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Australia |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2022 Quintet comes from the estate vineyard planted in 1971 in Coldstream, Yarra Valley. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%), and this more or less reflects the final cépage each year—though it is also dependent on vintage conditions, fruit set, etc. Aromatically, the wine leads with milk chocolate, cassis, tobacco and blood, with layers of dried herbs, cinnamon cassia, raspberry seed and something minty in the echelon of star anise and fennel—even delicately pushing to aniseed. As per usual, the tannins feel effortless and naturally forged, inducing movement and chew while drinking. This is a silky, seamless wine and is routinely one of my favorite Australian wines each year. Each of the varieties were picked and fermented separately and kept on the skins for about two weeks. The wine matured for 22 months in a variety of French oak: 30% new barriques, 25% in large format (1,500 liters or larger), with the balance in two- to five-year-old barriques. The wine has a firmness through the tail end of the finish, which for me puts it slightly behind the previous vintage in terms of quality but does nothing to dent the space it occupies in my heart. This is a great wine and a great producer. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. Drink: 2024-2052
This is an icon of Australian cabernet for a reason, and this release is no exception. Refined aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, cedar, tobacco leaves and cocoa beans. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of mulberries, graphite, citrus peel and mulberry bush. A wonderful balance of structure and fruit that intertwine harmoniously. Excellent. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.
Rich nose, masses of black, blue and purple fruit with red-fleck brightness. The fruit is so glowing, so intense, so full of fragrance that the mouthful of tannins fade into insignificance. But they’re super-fine tannins, ripe, not remotely astringent. Drink: 2026-2035
