Print this Wine         1998 Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot "Moda Amarone"   MCLAREN VALE/COONAWARRA                 January Release   Bordeaux Blends       Joe Grilli can do no wrong. He makes an amazing array of wines, and is a master of all styles he attempts. This is one of the finest in an exceptional line of robust full bodied reds that still retain delicacy and elegance. It is indeed the thirteenth vintage of this supreme and unique wine. Sourcing fruit primarily from the McLaren Vale, with a little Coonawarra Merlot added for a touch of complexity this wine is a reflection of both the supreme quality of a remarkable vintage and a testament to the skills of a master craftsman. The wine is very dark in color with purple and black shades mingling with deep blood red. The colors run right up to the rim of the glass. This is a very strong indication of the inherent power and concentration. The bouquet is initially closed and I recommend that you give this wine a vigorous decanting before drinking the wine as a youngster. Make sure that the wine gets plenty of exposure to the air as this will release the perfume that is held tightly in check at the present time. Once the wine opens up there is multitude of berry flavors. There is mulberry, black-currant and also some raspberry. In conjunction with the fruit are some violets and other lifted perfumes. The wine has undergone the grape drying process used with great success in the "Amarone" wines of Valpolicella, Italy. Here the grapes are not dried out to the same extent as it is Joe’s intention to use the technique to enhance the fruit flavors within the grapes, rather than create an Amarone. The flavors get even more rich and deeper on the palate. Whilst the floral fragrance was more evident on the nose once the wine gets to your mouth it is full of sweet fruity bursts of flavor. The finish is long and complete with a good drying grip from ample tannins. Drink the wine now and it is very satisfying. Drink this wine in 10 years time and it will simply blow your taste buds away. The big question is can you wait for that long. The wine at the moment is too strong for most meat dishes , so wait until the end of the meal and serve it with some piquant Reggiano or a fine sharp aged cheddar style cheese. Here the combination of sharp and salty flavors will balance against the sweet berry fruit that dominates the wine.

Varietal All Varietals Bordeaux Blends Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Colombard Dessert Wine Grenache Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz Grenache Rose Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre Italian Varietals Marsanne Viognier Merlot Mourvedre Mourvedre Mourvedre Shiraz Grenache Muscadelle Muscat Other Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Port Riesling Rose Saignee Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Shiraz Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz Mourvedre Grenache Shiraz Petit Sirah Shiraz Viognier Syrah Viognier Estate All Estates Aramis Vineyards Blackbilly Bowen Estate Clonakilla Coates Craiglee Elderton Fireblock Flinders Bay Frankland Estate Grosset Wines Heathcote II Hill of Content Mount Horrocks Primo Estate / Joseph Rocky Gully Rutherglen Estates Sir Paz Estate The Catcher Wines The Jumping Grape Wines The Old Faithful The Wishing Tree Tir na N'og Region All Regions Adelaide Hills Adelaide Plains Auburn Australian Capital Territory Barossa Ranges Barossa Valley Blewitt Springs Bowen Estate Canberra District Cardinia Hills Cardinia Ranges Central Victoria Clare Valley Clarendon Coonawarra Cowra Eden Valley Fleurieu Frankland Geelong Great Western Griffith Heathcote Hilltops Region Hunter Valley Kangarilla King Valley Langhorne Creek Lenswood Lower Hunter Valley Macedon Ranges Margaret River McLaren Vale Mornington Peninsula Mount Carmel Murrenbateman New South Wales Norton Summit Nuriootpa Old Garden Vineyard Padthaway Piccadilly Polish Hill River Riverina Rutherglen Sevenhills South Australia Sunbury Tanunda Upper Beaconsfield Victoria Watervale West Australia Western Australia Woodside Yarra Valley Keyword Include Museum Notes? Yes   No Show me more wines: of this vintage of this varietal by this estate from this region