A Cabernet that is devilishly good!

This week at ARIA I sold two magnums of 1999 Domaine A Cabernet to a large table in for dinner. We sell these magnums for $495 a bottle. The wine is looking fantastic and reminded me I must share my earlier adventures to Tassie in 2012.

In February I had the opportunity to visit the Coal River Valley in Tasmania and in particular one of my all time favourite vineyards, Domaine A/Stoney Vineyard. The humble Peter and Ruth Althaus have owned the vineyard since 1989 and it's located about half an hour's drive north of Hobart. It was just by chance that I scheduled my visit an hour after Jancis Robinson MW (Master of Wine), who was in Tasmania and the keynote speaker for the 8th 'International Cool Climate Symposium'.

If your a Bordeaux fan you will love these wines... the 2006 Stoney Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon by Domaine A is an affordable cabernet blend that hits the mark.. It's from vines planted in 1973 and is made up 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. From a restaurant's point of view this is brilliant as being current release it has a few years bottle age on it (many current release wines need time in the cellar), it is good value for money and ready to drink now.  It's stated that this wine is one that's meant for short to medium term cellaring. Fair enough, but I reckon it would go a bit longer as it has excellent natural acidity, which is a hallmark feature of all the Domaine A/Stoney Vineyard wines.  They have a unique refreshing character on the palate which sets them apart.

Tasting notes:  vibrant nose of cassis, blackcurrant, dark cherries and eucalyptus. The palate is medium to full-bodied with ripe blackcurrants and dark chocolate. There are grippy tannins and the finish is intense with slight earthy, gamey characters and some delicate spice elements (sage and dried oregano).

Would go well with:  BBQ lamb cutlets marinated with olive oil, rosemary, sea salt and lemon zest. Serve it with a salad of white and purple cabbage, figs, walnuts, lots of fresh mint, balsamic and shaved parmesan.

Tell your friends: The Coal River Valley in Tasmania lies on the same latitude as Tuscany in Italy. 

To buy: Click here to get your hands on a bottle of this tasty wine ($28 per bottle).

Stoney Vineyard used to produce a straight Zinfandel and how awesome it was to try the 1982 on this visit. Once again the acidity was still there and there was a delicate perfume with an interesting spicy, earthy red fruit base with leather and dried herbs on the back palate. Tassie reds can last the distance and this is a prime example of how well the Coal River Valley can tackle a late ripening variety such as Zinfandel.