Edinburgh Wine Club tasting, The Grape, Thursday 17 March, 2011

Wine	Grape	Area	Supplier	Price	Comments	Points/ Best Value
1. Vergelegen 2005 (means “far away”) 14.5%	Cabernet Sauvignon	South Africa Cape	Henderson	£15	Dark,opaque colour. Nose complex showing blackcurrants,spice and ripe plums. The palate is full with soft ripe tannins and excellent wood integration. Philosophy-harmony between old+new.	0
2..Catena 2007 13.5%	Cabernet Sauvignon	Argentina, Mendoza-foot of Andes	Vino	£13	70% from Tupungato(1,130m), 30% from Lujan de Cuyo(940m). High altitude blend gives unique character with balance, concentration and strong varietal identity.	4
3. Eberle 2007 (German-“small boar”) 14.5%	Cabernet Sauvignon	California, Paso Robles	Henderson	£16.50	Approachable+enjoyable in youth, lush with flavours of wild berries, cassis + moderate tannins. Worthy of ageing for several years.	9 Third
4. Gran Coronas 2006 14%	Cabernet Sauvignon(+someTempranillo)	Spain, Catalonia	Henderson	£12	Long aged in oak. Aromas of jam with silky elegance on the palate.	7 5 BV BV
5. Hollick 2008 14% Cellar–10 -15 years	Cabernet Sauvignon	Australia Coonawarra	Great Grog	£16	Old vines, partial barrel fermentation+20 months in French Oak(30%new)=typical ripe cassis,plum+ berry fruits with menthol+ soft tannins.	7
7. Hollick 2005 14%	Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) + Shiraz (65%)	As above	As above	£14	Displays intense fruit flavours + soft tannin finish. Combines spicy Shiraz notes with ripe berry flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon.	7 1 BV
6. Hollick 2008 14.5%	Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) +Merlot (10%)	As above	As above	£14	Merlot “fills” emptyish centre to give intense berry fruit flavours + soft tannin structure. Cellar up to 7 years.	10 Second 2 BV
8. Hollaia 2005 Hollick 13%	Sangiovese(65%)+Cabernet Sauvignon	As above	As above	£14	Balances dark plum, herbal infused+chalky texture of Sangiovese with ripe berries+generous mid-palate of C.S.	15 First
9. Hollick 2006 14% Ravenswood	Cabernet Sauvignon	As above	As above	£38	Partial fermentation + 18 months in French barriques gives genuine class+structure. Shows great depth + length of cassis fruit. Only released in years of excellence using best grapes. Cellar for 10 years or more.	7