It must be slightly nerve-wracking for producers known for their "excellent value for money" wines. When wine lovers sniff out a bargain, it's easy to take for granted that a wine will, year after year, deliver a level of quality above its price point. It's almost as if one waits for the reality to hit (as it has in the past with countless labels). Taylors, though, seems to maintain a good line in value Clare Valley wines, and their Cabernet Sauvignon is known as perhaps their greatest bargain. I read, I think over at Winefront, that it's Australia's biggest selling Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Here's the 2006 version.
A lovely, expressive nose of cassis and leafiness (or is it gravel?), with a dash of powdery vanilla for good measure. It's instantly varietal and generous, if quite ripe. Entry is flavoursome and focused, with a nice line starting from the tip of the tongue and widening through to the mid-palate. The wine's physical presence down the centre of the tongue is tight, yet this never creates an impression of being lean or intellectual. Rather, the flavour profile shows quite ripe cassis and blackberry alongside generous yet delicious vanilla oak. Body is medium to full. The wine's structure is assertive, with acid tingling the tongue at the same time as powdery, slightly chunky tannins fill the mouth. I'm quite sure the wine could take some ageing, as it has not deteriorated significantly in the two days since I opened it. There's a diminution of body as the wine moves through the after-palate, but this thinning is compensated by the wine's decent, dry finish.
I bought this wine for $15 and I'm glad to say that it remains a great bargain. A delicious wine that should satisfy any craving for flavoursome, generous Cabernet.
Taylors
Price: $A15
Closure: Stelvin
Date tasted: April 2008
A lovely, expressive nose of cassis and leafiness (or is it gravel?), with a dash of powdery vanilla for good measure. It's instantly varietal and generous, if quite ripe. Entry is flavoursome and focused, with a nice line starting from the tip of the tongue and widening through to the mid-palate. The wine's physical presence down the centre of the tongue is tight, yet this never creates an impression of being lean or intellectual. Rather, the flavour profile shows quite ripe cassis and blackberry alongside generous yet delicious vanilla oak. Body is medium to full. The wine's structure is assertive, with acid tingling the tongue at the same time as powdery, slightly chunky tannins fill the mouth. I'm quite sure the wine could take some ageing, as it has not deteriorated significantly in the two days since I opened it. There's a diminution of body as the wine moves through the after-palate, but this thinning is compensated by the wine's decent, dry finish.
I bought this wine for $15 and I'm glad to say that it remains a great bargain. A delicious wine that should satisfy any craving for flavoursome, generous Cabernet.
Taylors
Price: $A15
Closure: Stelvin
Date tasted: April 2008
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