Print this Wine         1997 Elderton Cabernet Sauvignon   NURIOOTPA, BAROSSA VALLEY                 January Release   Cabernet Sauvignon       The warm and mild climate of the Barossa Valley means that grapes have no difficulty ripening. The key to making the best possible wine from these conditions is to ensure the vines are not stressed by heat and are allowed a little extra time on the vines to further develop flavor. This is particularly true for Cabernet Sauvignon in the Barossa Valley. It would be fair to say that it generally is not as successful as Shiraz across all producers. Elderton have always had great quality Cabernets and this release is one of their best. Ripe plums, mulberries and blackcurrants. There is so much fruit on the palate, that the oak characters are hard to detect. In addition to the primary fruit there is chocolate and a hint of nutmeg. The palate is even better that the aroma. This is due to the juicy, fleshy nature of the fruit. The toast of new oak that wasn’t so noticeable on the bouquet is much more apparent on the palate. This oak combines with the fruit which is very sweet and almost syrup like such is its concentration. Do not call this wine subtle as it virtually jumps out of the glass at you. Whilst the fruit is sweet and juicy there is a firmness at the finish due to tannin and extraction of body from the maceration of the skins with the juice. This is where the true skill of the winemaking team comes to the fore. To make a big blockbuster style where the fruit is not sacrificed for the structure of the wine requires skill of the highest order. This wine has a balance of the intensity of the fruit with the structure. Given the fruit and the tannin this is a wine to lay down and cellar for at least 7 to 8 years. Drink a few bottles now and enjoy all the freshness of the fruit, however do lie down a few more bottles and try it when the finish will be soft and mellow. For drinking the wine now, roast a joint of meat with plenty of juice left inside the meat and serve with a rich, slightly sweet sauce that reduces wine into an essence. This will effectively soften the tannin at the finish.         How do I download Hi-Res Labels?

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