Wine of the Week – Chateau Tanunda Cabernet Sauvignon Noble Baron 2007

I know it’s 100 degrees outside right now and I ought to be pushing a nice dry Rose or a crisp, citrusy Chablis.  But tonight I’ll suggest instead that you crank the AC and open a bottle of Chateau Tanunda Cabernet Sauvignon Noble Baron 2007.

The fruit for this wine – mostly Cab with a few percent each of Shiraz and Cab Franc – is hand picked, basket pressed and unfiltered, giving it great authenticity that’s enhanced rather than overpowered by 18 months in oak.  It’s rich and dense but not sweet, with an elegance and subtlety that belies its power and finish that lingers long after.  The Noble Baron has got discernible mint and spice flavors, which I don’t always find appealing but which work perfectly in this wine.

It’s not cheap – WineAccess has it for about $40, but it’s worth every penny and it’s as good or better than a legion of California Cabs I’ve tasted at 2X or even 3X the price!

It’s also an impressive winery, the largest in Australia, around since 1890.   I’m so impressed with its offerings that I’ll be writing up the winery soon with tasting notes for this Cab, as well as Riesling and Shiraz (of course).

Australians make great soldiers, models, outdoorspeople and rugby players.  You can add the winemakers of Chateau Tanunda to this list!

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