1998 Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

I pulled a bottle of this from the cellar last night. I haven’t got a massive amount of Tahbilk in there but it’s an area of the cellar that is increasing, where most areas are decreasing. Good Tahbilk reds have such an easy-going sense of balance and structure – they’re not weighty wines, but the good ones always look as though they’re going to age and grow in complexity over a long period of time. Cork permitting. There’s just that sense about them.

This 1998 Tahbilk Reserve Cabernet – and I usually prefer the cabernet to the shiraz – is in a very good place right now. It’s essentially mature. It tastes of licorice and lavendar, leather and eucalypt, and while it seemed deliciously tannic when I first opened it, those tannins almost completely dissolved once I started drinking it with food (a home made hamburger; nothing more, nothing less). Lovely balance, lots of interest, and good persistence. The kind of red Australia should be very proud of.

I was also interested to see that the back label of this wine included a detailed tasting note. That note did not make any mention of mint/eucalypt/menthol, when indeed it’s a clear feature of the wine.  It just goes to show … we often don’t like to mention it.

Rated : 94 Points
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2008 - 2018