Margaret River is one of Australia's greatest areas for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Comparisons are often made with Bordeaux, but the region is a bit warmer and drier than Bordeaux and the wines generally show a riper, more immediate appeal.
Recently, Western Australia has had a string of superb vintages, starting with the 2007 wines, and we are fortunate to have a couple of good examples available in our local marketplace.
The first wine we are featuring today is Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2008. This is Xanadu's entry-level wine, but it is made by the same team as their icon wines and it has estate grown fruit, including a bit of Merlot. The wine even received 30% new oak treatment. Don't be scared away by the price point; it provides excellent value and drinks well above it's $16 price tag.
"Medium Ruby color. Clean nose offer cedar pencil and blackcurrant. Medium bodied, showing good varietal definition, with ripe cassis flavors that flood the palate. Bright acidity and fine tannins provide structure. Nice finish too. Very good and recommended." 14%, Stelvin. Available at BC Liquor Stores and many private outlets too.
Our next wine is Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River 2008. Same vintage, but this wine is a notch above the first one, with richer and fuller flavors. A new release in BC Liquor Stores, it is mostly Cabernet, with 9% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot blended in. This wine is superb.
"Garnet color. Lovely high-toned nose shows pure cassis and a whiff of oak. Bright acidity mates well with blackcurrant and a touch of mint, flowing onto a very lengthy finish with the finest of tannins. This is a polished, sophisticated wine that is utterly delicious. Excellent. Could be cellared for a few years, but why bother? It's mighty fine right now." 14%, Stelvin. Priced at $25 in BC Liquor Stores.
It is interesting to note that these wines sell for less here than they do in Australia! Enjoy them while they are priced right.....
- Randy Saunders
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