2005 longview single vineyard adelaide hills devil's elbow cabernet sauvignon

http://www.longviewvineyard.com.au

the bottom line - nice complexity in this australian cab. i found the herbal aroma a bit off putting, but the silky smooth chocolate finish is something special.

alcohol - 14.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - 40% cabernet sauvignon, 60% shiraz

aroma - sweet cherry with some herbal and cocoa notes
flavor -fruity medium bodied, nice acid with a creamy chocolaty oaky lightly tannic finish.
price - $19.96
verdict - 88, WS85

2003 peter lehmann barossa cabernet sauvignon

http://www.peterlehmannwines.com.au

the bottom line - a rather unremarkable cab from southeastern austrailia.

alcohol - 14.0 %
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - 100% cabernet sauvignon

aroma - offputting aromas of green pepper and spice.
flavor -light body, flat on the mid-pallet with an over oaked vanilla finish
price - $12.46
verdict - 82, 86 ws

2003 thorn-clarke shotfire ridge curvee barossa

http://www.thornclarkewines.com

the bottom line - according to thorn-clarke, "the shotfire ridge range has one key goal - to build consumer loyalty by over-delivering in quality". I admire the goal and the words held true for this $20 blend.

alcohol - 14.1%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - 7.18
final pH - 3.54
blend - 43% cabernet sauvignon, 29% shiraz, 13% cab franc, 11% merlot, 4% petit verdot

aroma - cherry, vanilla, spice, green pepper
flavor -fruity black cherry, chocolate, full and balanced, nice acid structure with a smooth lingering earthy finish.
price - $19.99
verdict - 90, WS87

2004 greg norman cabernet merlot limestone coast

http://www.shark.com/gnestates/

the bottom line - australian cab/merlot blend with fizzing raspberry and citrus notes.
alcohol - 14.0%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - 81% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot

aroma - raspberry, orange, dusty
flavor -fruity raspberry and grapefruit with a smooth lingering earthy finish.
price - $9.99
verdict - 87, WS88

2005 the little penguin southeastern australia cabernet sauvignon

http://www.thelittlepenguin.com


the bottom line - southeastern australian cabernet. solid simple cab, relatively light in body and somewhat sweet. very well balanced for such a young wine. an excellent value. would pair well with pasta and/or a movie.


alcohol - 13.5%
residual sugar - n/a
total acid - n/a
final pH - n/a
blend - n/a

aroma - juicy, green pepper, fresh cut grass
flavor -light, sweet. moderate tannin, light oak finish
price - $6.96
punt - 38 mm
verdict - 86, WS88

2003 wyndham estate bin 444 caberbet sauvignon

http://www.wyndhamestate.com



the bottom line - no one can possibly enjoy this wine.




alcohol - 13.8%
appearance - dark reddish purple in the glass
aroma - strong acetone nose, licorice...rough.
flavor - thin - cherry and plum on the mid-palate . icky, earthy, dirty finish.
price - $7
punt - 24 mm
verdict - 50. even their web site is crap.